Author of Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Report Criticizes Military for Censoring Details

Saturday, March 10, 2012
The expert in charge of investigating water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina has accused the military and a federal agency of censoring a new report on the problem, after they claimed to have done so for reasons of national security.
 
From the 1950s to the mid-1980s the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with chemicals from an off-base dry-cleaning company and trichloroethylene (TCE), which was used to clean military equipment. Even though Marine Corps commanders issued an order in 1974 to safely dispose of solvents, dangerous chemicals were still dumped near water wells for years. And it wasn’t until 1984 that the Corps completed its testing of underground wells that revealed the presence of harmful chemicals, forcing the closure of many. By then, about 750,000 Marines and Marine family members had been exposed to the tainted water. Of these, more than 70 men developed an extremely rare form of male breast cancer. Other Marines believe deaths by cancer in their families were caused by the Corps’ negligent monitoring of the base water supply.
 
Robert Faye, a hydrologist and civil engineer who authored the report, says portions were redacted by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, with the approval of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
 
Also, Faye claims ATSDR Administrator Dr. Thomas Frieden gave Congress “false and misleading” statements regarding the scientific content of the report and its redactions.
 
Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), an advocate for Camp Lejeune victims, has asked ATSDR to explain why the redactions were approved.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 
To Learn More:

20 From Camp Lejeune Marine Base Developed Male Breast Cancer, Blame Toxic Water(by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov) 

Comments

Staci Gerleve 11 years ago
I just lost my Uncle Buddy to cancer on Tuesday October 7,2012. He,his wife, and two sons were stationed at Lejeune in the 70's. Six years earlier we lost his son to pancreatic cancer. Now his other son is showing symptons. I miss my uncle and cousin so much. This should not have happened to anyone, especially those who put their life on the lines for our freedom!
Kevin Webb 12 years ago
please help the vets, family and base works with the camp lejeune water contamination: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/​petitions/!/petition/​act-and-move-forward-hr1742-cam​p-lejeune-water-billjaney-ensm​inger-act/gvbzpw6b
Tom LoCascio 12 years ago
on jan 20, 2012, at the va hospital in east norport, ny my cancerous left kidney was removed. a month before, i was diagnosed and treated for stage 2 bladder cancer. the cause? i was stationed at camp lejune in 1966. additionally, i worked at night cleaning the weapons used during day-time training. i was 18yo then and now at 64, i am waiting for disability approval. it's great that this matter is being given so much attention. i hope a decision in my favor comes thru soon.

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