Marye Audet
DCL
It took the United States government decades to admit that Agent Orange was affecting Viet Nam veterans' health. Hopefully it will be quicker for those Marines and their families that were stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina from 1957-1987.
I have a personal stake in this; my husband and I were there during this time. We both suffer from illnesses that may be related to the high levels of toxins in the water.
Dangerously High Levels of Contaminates
In the 1950s a chemical solvent called PCE was entering into the water supply from a local dry cleaner, according to government sources. This went on until 1987 but wasn't the only chemical contaminating the water.
The Marine Corps suspected that there was asbestos coating the pipes and leaching into the water, too. Tests were done at Camp Grainger, Tarrawa Terrace (one and two), and LeJeune and found that not only was asbestos present but a variety of other VOC compounds were present. The wells supplying this water were finally shut down in 1984 and the Marine Corps released its first information about the water problem to the press.
Prior to the wells being shut down those of us who lived and worked on base at Camp LeJeune, Camp Grainger, base housing, and surrounding areas were exposed to between 70 and 200 micrograms of PCE per liter of water. The Environmental Protection Agency sets the highest allowable level at 5 micrograms per liter. We drank it, cooked with it, washed in it, and cleaned our homes with it.
Camp LeJeune, Camp Grainger, base housing, and surrounding areas were exposed to between 70 and 200 micrograms of PCE per liter of water. The Environmental Protection Agency sets the highest allowable level at 5 micrograms per liter.
Veterans' Illnesses Not Recognized by the Government
Although thousands of veterans are experiencing a variety of health problems the government released the findings of the study saying that A fact finding panel created by the Corps five years ago ruled officials acted properly and that the water was "consistent with general industry practices at the time." (via CNN transcripts 9/26/09).
At this point in time the VA does not recognize any illnesses as being possibly connected to the highly toxic water supply at Camp LeJeune and is not paying disability to the thousands of veterans that are suffering with health issues that may be connected.
My husband, Marc, has polyneuropathy and other degenerative nerve issues of unknown cause. These took him from working out in the gym six days a week to being in a wheelchair. In early August of this year I had my thyroid removed because of 7 tumors and 2 cysts. We are some of the lucky ones.
Illnesses Connected with Camp LeJeune
Following is a list of some of the illnesses that have been recorded among Marines and their families that were stationed at Camp LeJeune. There are more being recorded every day.
- Autoimmune disorders
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer (in men as well as women)
- Bladder cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Leukemia
- Chronic Fatigue
- Non Hodgkins lymphoma
- Miscarriages
- Birth defects
What You Need to Do Now
If you feel you may be affected by this there are things you should do.
1. Go to The Stand. This is a site to support and give information to those of us who served during this time. It is updated often. Register and support the site.
2. The Few, the Proud, the Forgotten is another important site to get involved with. It is an advocacy site that keeps us updated and in touch.
3.Fill out your form 95 if you haven't all ready.
4. Get checked by your doctor. Print out information about the Camp LeJeune water study and take it to him/her.
5. If you haven't bothered to register with the VA for medical care you should probably do so and at least get a check up.
6. Keep up with the current information and educate yourself about the illnesses and symptoms associated with contaminates in water.
7. Even if you aren't at risk you should keep abreast of the news. Be supportive of those who served; many of them survived battlefields only to find out that they had been poisoned in their own homes.
8. Contact your representatives and let them know that this is an important issue and lack of action is not acceptable.
