The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has surveyed and studied the effects of exposure to toxic chemicals found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune since 1993. ATSDR has found substantial evidence to directly correlate toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune from the 1950s-February 1985 to certain illnesses.
In 2017, ATSDR first published its Assessment of the Evidence for the Drinking Water Contaminants at Camp Lejeune and Specific Cancers and Other Diseases. The report laid out ATSDR’S position that past exposures from the 1950s to mid-1980s to the trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, benzene, and other contaminants found in the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune likely increased the risk of certain cancers, adverse birth outcomes, and other adverse health conditions of residents, civilian workers, Marines and Naval personnel at Camp Lejeune.
ATSDR found that exposure to at least one of the toxic chemicals in the Camp Lejeune drinking water was sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship exits for:
Bladder Cancer
Cardiac Defects
In addition, ATSDR found that the causal relationship between at least one of the toxic chemicals found on the Camp Lejeune water was “equipoise or above” (evidence is sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship is at least as likely as not or is not) to:
Parkinson’s Disease
Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma
It is important to note that ATSDR’s evaluation of other diseases, such as male and female breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, rectal cancer, brain/CNS cancer, is ongoing. ATSDR has identified several other medical conditions with possible associations to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. ATSDR’s studies on lung cancer and cervical cancer have not yet been published. We plan to update you as we learn more about the long-term effects of exposure to the toxins found at Camp Lejeune.
If you are experiencing any of the illnesses listed above or another illness that you believe may be linked to your time at Camp Lejeune, you are not alone. To learn more about the health conditions that have been studied in connection with exposure to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water, please visit our Camp Lejeune page or call our office at 800-800-1102.