Camp Lejeune is a United States Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It was established in 1941 and named after the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune. Camp Lejeune is home to the 2nd Marine Division, the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and other tenant units.
The United States Department of the Navy has admitted that pollutants were present in Camp Lejeune’s water supply from the early 1950s until 1987. They said these pollutants may have caused several serious health problems for former residents of the base, including birth defects, cancers, and other illnesses. The United States government has set up several programs to help former residents affected by the contamination, including a medical benefits program and a scientific research program. In addition, the Department of the Navy has established a website to provide information about Camp Lejeune and the programs in place that help those affected by the polluted water supply.
The United States Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Families Act in 2008. This act provides health care and other benefits to former residents of the base who were exposed to toxins in the water. The Department of Defense must also provide health care and other benefits to certain current and former employees of the base who were exposed to the contaminated water.
In 2012, the United States government settled with several private companies operated at Camp Lejeune. The companies agreed to pay $9 million to fund health care and other benefits for former base residents exposed to the pollutants.
The story of Camp Lejeune is one of the most well-known cases of contamination in the United States. If you or someone you know was stationed at Camp Lejeune during the 50s through the 80s, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with exposure to these unhealthy conditions. Here are some key points you should know about the Camp Lejeune water contamination:
- Camp Lejeune’s water supply contamination began in the early 1950s and continued until at least 1987.
- The United States Department of the Navy has said that pollutants were in the water supply at the base during that time. They may have been responsible for several adverse health effects former base residents suffered, including birth defects and cancer.
- The United States government has set up several programs to assist base residents affected by the contamination.
- In 2008, the United States Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Families Act, which provides health care and other benefits to certain former residents of the base who were exposed to the polluted water.
- The Camp Lejeune pollution problem is one of the largest and most famous cases of water contamination in the United States.
If you or someone you know have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or elsewhere, you should understand the health risks you may be facing. In addition, be sure to avoid drinking water from unsanitary sources. The more you know, the better you can care for yourself.
