- When was the contamination first found? How long did it last?
- When did the contamination begin?
- Where did the chemicals that caused the contamination come from?
- Which housing areas were affected by this contamination?
- What about people who lived elsewhere on Camp Lejeune? Were they exposed to contaminated water?
- Is a short-term exposure thought to warrant concern?
- How did the Marine Corps become aware of drinking water problems at Camp Lejeune?
- Why is this just being made public now?
- Are the wells at Camp Lejeune being cleaned up?
- Are there any reasons to worry about drinking the water at Camp Lejeune now? What kind of measures are in place now to ensure that water supplies in base housing are safe?
1. When was the contamination first found? How long did it last?
The chemicals trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene ( PCE, also known as perchloroethylene or "PERC") were first found in the drinking water in the early 1980s during a routine, base-wide sampling. All polluted wells were shut down in 1985.
2. When did the contamination begin?
The exact date the wells became contaminated is not known. The water modeling planned as part of the ATSDR study should provide a better understanding of when the water first became contaminated.
3. Where did the chemicals that caused the contamination come from?
Contamination came from two locations:
1. One was ABC One-Hour Cleaners (ABC), a dry-cleaning facility that during the time period studied was located directly adjacent to Camp Lejeune.
ABC released its wastewater (which contained tetrachloroethylene, a dry cleaning solvent, also known as perchloroethylene or PCE) into a septic tank located behind the business. Over a period of time, the chemical moved through the sand and into the groundwater under Camp Lejeune, polluting some drinking water wells providing water to the Tarawa Terrace Family Housing Area. ABC was listed on the EPA Superfund list in 1989 and is undergoing cleanup by EPA (see the Environmental Issues section for additional information).
2. The other "source" was really a combination of the effects of industrial operations, past waste-disposal standards and practices, and leaking underground storage tanks.
4. Which housing areas were affected by this contamination?
For information on specific units, please contact the USMC at 1-877-261-9782 or at CLSurvey@hqmc.usmc.mil. The USMC also has a website: www.usmc.mil/camplejeune/clbwatersurveyinfo.nsf .
5. What about people who lived elsewhere on Camp Lejeune? Were they exposed to contaminated water?
For the answers to these questions, please contact the USMC at 1-877-261-9782 or at CLSurvey@hqmc.usmc.mil. The USMC also has a website: www.usmc.mil/camplejeune/clbwatersurveyinfo.nsf.
6. Is a short-term exposure thought to warrant concern?
Current scientific knowledge, including the public health assessment produced by ATSDR in 1997, suggests that the health of adults exposed to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the base drinking water during the period studied does not appear to be at risk as a result of that exposure. The amount of VOCs present, combined with the duration of exposure to the water would likely not have resulted in an adverse health effect among adults and children.
However, the effects on children in utero (in the womb) are in question. That is why the Camp Lejeune survey was done and why the study is being planned.
7. How did the Marine Corps become aware of drinking water problems at Camp Lejeune?
The Marine Corps first learned of the problems in 1982, when sampling revealed that the drinking water distribution system at Hadnot Point contained unidentified substances. The source was unknown at that time, and subsequent samplings were inconclusive as to the nature of the substances.
In the early 1980s, the EPA established National Primary Drinking Water Standards, which included standards for acceptable levels of many chemicals.
In May 1982, Camp Lejeune conducted compliance testing of its water system and found the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in the Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water distribution systems. Testing of water for compliance continued until June 1984.
In June 1984, EPA proposed standards for TCE and PCE in water systems. Camp Lejeune then began to sample for TCE and PCE at its water wells shortly thereafter, and in October 1984, began to shut down those that were found have levels exceeding the new proposed standard. By February of 1985, all impacted drinking water wells at Camp Lejeune had been identified and shut down.
8. Why is this just being made public now?
Information about the contaminated drinking water was first released in late 1984 and has been updated regularly since then. For specifics regarding the USMC release of information, please contact the USMC at 1-877-261-9782.
9. Are the wells at Camp Lejeune being cleaned up?
For specific information on this topic, please contact the USMC at 1-877-261-9782.
The Camp Lejeune's 2001 Water Quality Reports can be found on the base's Environmental Management Web site: www.lejeune.usmc.mil/emd/reports/annualreports.htm
10. Are there any reasons to worry about drinking the water at Camp Lejeune now? What kind of measures are in place now to ensure that water supplies in base housing are safe?
The water is safe to drink. In accordance with federal and state regulations, all supply wells are tested every year.
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