Part One: 1939-2007 The Emergence of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The Camp Lejeune water contamination stands as a long-term, drawn-out, environmental tragedy that unfolded over several decades

Monday, January 29, 2024 - The water contamination crisis at Camp Lejeune has impacted millions of military personnel, their families, and civilian employees stationed at the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The following is a timeline of key events and developments from the establishment of the base in 1939 to the acknowledgment of responsibility by the U.S. government in 2007. Camp Lejeune water lawsuits allege the Navy and Marine Corps knew about the deadly water contamination problem and did little to warn people on the base. In 1939, Camp Lejeune was established as an essential and central United States Marine Corps training base near Jacksonville, North Carolina. The base underwent rapid expansion during World War II to accommodate the escalating number of military personnel. Construction of a water distribution system began in the early 1950s, drawing water from on-base wells to meet the growing needs of the burgeoning military community.

The first signs of Camp Lejeune water contamination emerged as early as 1953 as authorities discovered volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the drinking water wells. Carcinogenic substances Trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) were identified among the contaminants. Investigations traced the source of the contamination to leaking underground storage tanks and various industrial activities on the base. Water contamination was eventually blamed on a local dry cleaning establishment dumping toxic chemicals into a nearby storm drain. The source of the contamination aside, the contamination persisted for several decades, spanning from the mid-1950s to 1985. The use of hazardous chemicals, including TCE and PCE, continued in various industrial processes on the base, exposing military personnel, their families, and civilian employees to the toxic substances. Despite the detection of contamination, immediate and effective actions to address the issue were not taken, leading to prolonged exposure.

Throughout the 1980s, reports of health issues among Camp Lejeune residents began to surface, including elevated rates of cancer, birth defects, and other illnesses. Concerns about water quality gained attention from both military and civilian communities. From the mid-1980s to 1987, the base initiated the closure of contaminated wells in an attempt to mitigate the water quality issues. Simultaneously, investigations into the extent of the contamination and its impact on residents' health commenced. It wasn't until the 1990s that scientific studies confirmed the link between exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and various health problems. Lawsuits were subsequently filed by military personnel, veterans, and their families seeking compensation for health issues associated with the water contamination. The legal battles brought the issue to the forefront, demanding accountability for the negligence that allowed the contamination to persist for decades. In 2007, the U.S. Congress passed the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act. This legislation directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide medical care for affected individuals, acknowledging the U.S. government's responsibility in addressing the health issues related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. The enactment of this law marked a significant step towards recognizing and redressing the consequences of the environmental and public health crisis at Camp Lejeune.

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