For three decades, chemicals and toxins were prevalent in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. After consistent consumption of the toxic water, people’s health deteriorated substantially. While the military and government ignored these concerns for many years, August 2022 changed that as the federal government passed a new law to help Camp Lejeune water contamination victims obtain financial recovery for their losses and finally get a semblance of justice.
Effects of Benzene
The Benzene chemical typically does not dissolve in water but will float and has no color. It is difficult to see in drinking water, so many victims did not notice the VOC. The chemical changes or affects cells in the body. Benzene can cause your bone marrow to stop replacing red blood cells as necessary.
PCE effects
Similarly to Benzene, PCE is colorless, making it impossible to see in the water. The chemical is found in fabric cleaners and degreasers. It attacks the liver, kidneys, and immune system and can also form tumors and impair motor abilities. People can also suffer neurological issues when consuming PCE.
TCE effects on victims
Ingesting the VOC causes damage to the kidneys, liver, and lymphatic system. Taking high doses can wreak havoc on the nervous system and causes muscle weakness, dizziness, and facial numbness. TCE does a wonderful job of cleaning metals but causes skin irritation after contact.
Pregnant women will face additional effects as the fetus will not develop, and there is a higher risk of birth problems. Exposure during the first trimester is hazardous. If you were in the womb while your mother was at Camp Lejeune, you could file a lawsuit. Your life was affected before you reached full development.
Vinyl Chloride effects
Vinyl chloride is a gas unless it attaches to water during high temperatures, releasing particles into the air. It is a cancer causing chemical which can lead to any form of cancer but most often causes lung cancer.
Diseases connected to these VOCs
The most prevalent outcome of exposure to VOCs by service members at Camp Lejeune is cancer. There are several other health conditions, but cancer is at the top of the list. The most common cancers among those who ingested these chemicals were breast, bladder, kidney, lung, and leukemia. Multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes were also prevalent.
Other diseases
Any disease resulting from water contamination has lifelong effects on sufferers. While cancer was the most prevalent, there were other non-cancerous diseases like fatty liver disease and Parkinson’s. Lou Gehrig’s disease, aplastic anemia, and renal toxicity were also linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination. These diseases will impede you from completing tasks and enjoying life.
Neurobehavioral effects
Motor function is vital to your overall health. Water contamination at Camp Lejeune has led to many victims having balancing and coordination problems. You can also experience memory and concentration problems. Neurobehavioral issues are difficult to pinpoint to Camp Lejeune, but they are common among those on base.
Childhood cancers and birth abnormalities
There were 12,598 children born at Camp Lejeune during periods of water contamination. Many babies were born with abnormalities because of toxic exposure to the mother, such as low birth weight, eye defects, etc. Childhood cancer is also prevalent, along with the brain and spinal conditions.
The next steps with Kwartler Manus, LLC
Many other conditions have a link to the contaminated water. Women and men had fertility issues, with 373 women reporting reproductive organ damage. While some of these diseases began during residence on base, others showed up years later. Victims suffer a physical toll from these conditions, but there is also an emotional and financial toll.
Your life is not the same, and recovering compensation for the negligence of others has been difficult. The next step for financial recovery is to collect your medical and service records and contact a Camp Lejeune lawyer. Tell Kwartler Manus, LLC how the condition affects your life, and we will help guide you through the legal process. Call us today at (267) 457-5570 to schedule a consultation.