Why Is the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Seen ?

Beneath the surface of a picturesque Marine base once considered an ideal American town, a dark secret long lay hidden. For decades, residents unknowingly consumed water saturated with toxic chemicals. When the full scope of the resulting contamination was finally brought to light, it ignited what may become the largest class action lawsuit in U.S. history.

Stymied for too long, victims see this case not just as a quest for justice and compensation but as a critical alarm. It demands recognition of profound human harm and a call to ensure no community is placed in such danger again without remedy.

Now, the ongoing legal fight to address this environmental disaster and its far-reaching health impacts could help determine the nation’s ability to learn from past mistakes and safeguard communities in the future. This is the story of a still-unfolding tragedy that continues radiating outward, changing lives and challenging assumptions.

What Is Groundwater Contamination?

One major source of groundwater pollution is natural processes. A significant global issue is groundwater contamination from high levels of naturally occurring arsenic. Approximately 100 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic concentrations above safe drinking water standards due to arsenic-rich rocks and sediments. Extended exposure can cause serious health problems.

Materials on the land surface can percolate down through the soil and pollute underground aquifers over time. For example, agricultural chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers are sometimes washed into groundwater supplies. De-icing salts, industrial toxins from mining operations, and motor oil dumped on roadways may also seep below ground. If not properly treated and disposed of, these substances threaten water quality.

Insufficient wastewater management enables contamination from untreated septic effluent and industrial dumping. Leachate from landfills housing hazardous byproducts can contaminate adjacent aquifers. 

Undocumented underground storage tanks holding chemicals and petroleum fuels are another risk if they develop leaks. Groundwater is highly vulnerable to contamination when waste is not adequately contained and processed to prevent seepage into precious water resources.

Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune

According to TorHoerman Law, in 1982, toxic chemicals that could potentially cause cancer were discovered in the drinking water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. 

Specifically, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic chemicals were found in the water treatment plants that served two areas of the base – Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point. For over 30 years, from the 1950s to 1987, an estimated one million military personnel, families, and civilian workers were unwittingly exposed to these chemicals through tap water.

Some of the key chemicals identified were trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene. Both TCE and perchloroethylene are known human carcinogens. Vinyl chloride and benzene are also significant contributors to the contamination. While benzene can cause miscarriage, vinyl chloride can lead to cancer. 

The long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals through daily consumption of contaminated water has led to disastrous health effects among those stationed or living at Camp Lejeune.

Victims Have Claimed to Have Suffered Health Effects, Including Cancer

Several studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) found elevated risks of various cancers and other illnesses among those exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. 

Children born to parents stationed there had higher rates of birth defects and childhood diseases like leukemia and neural tube defects. 

Those who were stationed or worked at the base also showed increased risks of cancers affecting the kidneys, liver, cervix, and other sites. Other conditions linked to toxic exposure include Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and multiple myeloma. 

The contamination has potentially impacted the health of over a million individuals who were unknowingly exposed through their daily consumption of tainted tap water.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act Provides Legal Recourse for Toxic Water Exposure

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, recently signed into law by President Biden, expands benefits and legal protections for individuals exposed to contaminated water while serving or living at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987.

This new law allows claims to be filed in federal court seeking damages for health issues resulting from toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Anyone present for 30 or more days, either continuously or cumulatively, during the specified period can bring a lawsuit. This 30-day threshold addresses situations where families may have visited on multiple shorter occasions.

Moreover, the US government can no longer claim legal immunity in response to such lawsuits over Camp Lejeune water contamination issues. This override of a state law now permits litigation that was previously impossible.

While past legislation provided healthcare coverage or disability benefits to qualifying exposed veterans and family members, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act uniquely establishes a process for seeking compensation through the legal system. It represents a major step forward in acknowledging and remedying the harm from unsafe drinking water at the base for thousands of service members and civilians over several decades.

Those who pursue litigation under the new law may seek monetary damages if health issues can be plausibly linked to toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune. Potential Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts will likely vary significantly depending on the severity of injuries, longevity of exposure, and other liability considerations particular to each case.

Overall, this new law offers significant new recourse and relief for those sickened by toxic exposures during Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water crisis.

Protecting Our Groundwater Supply

The water we drink is only as pure as the land above it. What happens on the surface directly impacts what lies below. By making conscientious choices, we can safeguard our groundwater sources for generations to come.

Proper waste disposal is key. Rather than pouring chemicals or pharmaceuticals down drains, contact your local environmental center to participate in household hazardous waste collection. Safely storing substances like fuel, paint, and chemicals also prevents contamination.

Limiting chemical usage when possible fosters healthy habits. Carefully following application directions ensures their intended purpose while minimizing excess. Routine inspections of underground tanks and septic systems catch potential leaks before damage occurs.

Nature provides low-impact solutions matching the landscape. Native plants evolved alongside local conditions, so they require minimal external inputs to thrive. Grasses and foliage deep-rooted in indigenous soils form a living filter, absorbing rainfall to nourish burgeoning plant life rather than allowing pollutants to pass underground.

Small, considerate actions make a difference when embraced community-wide. By respecting the interconnectivity of surface and subsurface environments, we safeguard fluid resources circulating beneath us and uphold our shared duty as stewards of the land.

In conclusion, the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is regarded as a critical alarm due to its revelation of a hidden environmental disaster that affected millions of individuals over several decades. 

The case underscores the urgent need for justice, compensation, and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, the broader message emphasizes the importance of protecting groundwater supplies through conscientious choices, proper waste disposal, and sustainable practices, safeguarding this vital resource for future generations.