Between 1953 and 1987, approximately one million people resided and worked at Camp Lejeune. Those who occupied the Marine base had no idea that drinking or bathing in the water there would lead to severe and potentially fatal health problems. The water was contaminated with high levels of toxic substances, and the government kept it a secret for many years.
A shocking discovery
The cause of the chemical contamination is linked to an underground fuel tank that may have leaked millions of gallons of fuel over several years. In addition, chemicals from a nearby dry cleaning business and chemicals used on the base may have also played a role. The horrific aftermath saw countless diagnoses of various cancers and multiple sclerosis.
Recently, legislation passed in the House of Representatives that would provide significantly improved health care and benefits to all veterans suffering the aftereffects of toxic exposure. As part of that larger bill before the U.S. Senate, two members, Sen. Thom Tillis and Sen. Richard Burr, are hoping to pass The Camp Lejeune Act of 2022 as part of the larger bill now before the U.S. Senate.
If enacted, the legislation would provide help to Marines, their family members and civilians who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune and contracted serious illnesses. Some even lost their lives due to the tainted water. The bill would provide victims a path to sue the government for compensation.
