On the heels of the recent news that there are concerns about the long-term health effects of Camp Lejeune water contamination, this article will address a variety of health conditions that have been associated with exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.

Table of Contents

Of Concern: Long-Term Health Effects Of Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

A Varied Number Of Cancers

A variety of cancers have been linked to the long-term health impact of the water at Camp Lejeune.

As the contamination of the water supply has been studied, it has become clear that, as with any cancer, there is a wide range of possible causes.

The most common cancers associated with Camp Lejeune water contamination include:

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Leukemia
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Breast Cancer

Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma

Studies have shown that children who lived on Camp Lejeune have a higher incidence of leukemia and lymphoma than children who did not live on the base.

It has also been shown that the rate of childhood leukemia and lymphoma is higher among those who were first exposed to the contaminated water between 1951 and 1959 than it is among those who were first exposed after that date.

Gout

Gout is an inflammatory disease that causes pain and swelling in your joints. It is caused by excess uric acid in your body.

There are several types of gout, including:

Hyperuricemia: This type of gout is usually caused by an increase in uric acid levels. This can be caused by certain diseases, medications, or dietary changes.
Uric acid nephropathy: This type of gout is caused by kidney damage. Uric acid nephropathy is a very rare form of gout and is only linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes loss of motor control and muscle stiffness.

The cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, but it is likely due to a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures. Parkinson’s disease is usually diagnosed after age 60.

The risk of Parkinson’s disease among those who lived on Camp Lejeune between 1951 and 1956 was found to be higher than in those who did not live on Camp Lejeune.

Birth Defects

Birth defects are abnormalities that occur during pregnancy that can result in physical or mental disabilities.

Birth defects can be caused by a variety of factors including genetic defects, environmental exposures, and infections.

Exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects.

A study published in 2016 found that those who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune had a higher risk of having a child with a birth defect.

The study found that the risk of having a child with a birth defect was increased by 50% for those who were exposed to the contaminated water.

These birth defects include:

1. Heart Defects

2. Cleft Lip And Palate

3. Clubfoot

4. Down Syndrome

5. Spina Bifida

6. Various Defects Leading To Autism

Mental Health Conditions

In addition to the increased incidence of cancer and other serious health conditions, there have been reports that those who lived on Camp Lejeune during the time period when the water was contaminated have a higher incidence of mental health conditions including:

Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder

Disability Claims for Military Service Members Regarding Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

On Feb. 20, 2017, House Resolution 605 was introduced in Congress to establish a Congressional Commission to investigate the long-term health effects of exposure to contaminated water on military personnel at Camp Lejeune.

It was introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and co-sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).

The resolution calls for the creation of the Commission to include members from both parties to investigate the long-term health effects of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Commission would be tasked with examining not only the health effects at Camp Lejeune but also the health effects among personnel who have served at other bases contaminated with toxic chemicals including:

Fort Carson, Colorado
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Compensation For Medical Expenses

In an effort to help military personnel and their families who may have been exposed to contaminated water, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided a list of medical conditions that may be covered under the VA’s Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

These conditions include:

Neuropsychiatric conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and bipolar disorder
Gastrointestinal conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Musculoskeletal conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
Circulatory conditions including congestive heart failure and peripheral vascular disease

As more information about the potential long-term health effects of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune becomes available, more research will be done to determine if there are additional health concerns that need to be taken into account.