U.S. MARINE CORPS CAMP LEJEUNE
ONSLOW COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
SUMMARY
As a result of environmental contamination, the U.S. Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune was listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List on October 4, 1989. Located in Onslow County, North Carolina, near the city of Jacksonville, the base covers a large area, approximately 151,000 acres (about 233 square miles) with 14 miles of beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It is densely populated, with over 43,200 active duty military personnel and 51,656 dependents.
Before the current established environmental regulations, previously accepted hazardous material handling and disposal led to environmental contamination at several areas on base. In 1983, MCB Camp Lejeune conducted an initial assessment of the potentially contaminated areas. Seventy-six waste disposal sites were identified as potentially contaminated from records reviews and personnel interviews. MCB Camp Lejeune listed 22 of those sites for further investigation. Basewide environmental investigations have been ongoing since that time and continue under the Installation Restoration Program. A total of 94 sites have been identified as potential areas of contamination. Forty-two of those sites required further investigation. Thirteen of the 42 sites require no further action. Seven sites require long-term monitoring or clean-up action. The remaining 22 sites are currently being investigated. Thirty-four of the total 94 potential sites are grouped into 18 Operable Units because of proximity or similar nature of contaminants present.
ATSDR evaluated the environmental information on all sites and identified ten sites where the potential for human exposure existed. Two exposure situations were evaluated at Site 28. In addition to the environmental data, ATSDR evaluated information on base plumbing as a possible source of lead contamination of drinking water, a common problem in older buildings. We also evaluated data on groundwater contamination where there was past exposure or there is potential for future exposure. Appendix B-2 describes our evaluation of the sites.
PAST PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
We concluded that three situations posed past public health hazards. In order of health priority, they are (1) exposure to lead in the tap water in on-base buildings containing lead plumbing; (2) past exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the three drinking water systems on base; and (3) past exposure to pesticides in the soil at Site 2, a former day-care center. MCB Camp Lejeune has taken action to stop or reduce exposure in all of these situations.
Lead levels in tap water on base were of immediate health concern. Sampling results, although variable, indicated a widespread problem with lead leaching from faucets or water pipes into drinking water. It is not possible to determine the exact number of people exposed to lead in drinking water or the exact amount of lead they were exposed to because lead levels in tap water are variable, dropping as the water pipes are flushed by running water. Blood lead samples taken from people who live or work in the two buildings containing the highest lead levels were considered within normal range. However, because of the extremely high levels found at some taps, ATSDR recommended exposure be reduced or in some cases stopped. As a result of ATSDR's recommendations, MCB Camp Lejeune took action to reduce lead exposure by educating base employees, residents, and visitors on the importance of flushing the water lines before using them, and stopped exposure by restricting the use of sinks in certain buildings.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) levels in three base drinking water systems (Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point, and Holcomb Boulevard) were of health concern until 1985 when use of contaminated wells stopped. Well contamination was caused from leaks in off-base and on-base underground tanks that were installed in the 1940s and 1950s. Human exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and 1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE) in drinking water systems at MCB Camp Lejeune have been documented over a period of 34 months, but likely occurred for a longer period of time, perhaps as long as 30 years. Included in the population that used this water were approximately 6000 residents in base family housing. This population consisted of a large proportion of young married women. Even though adverse health effects are not expected in adults, concern was raised about potential toxic effects on developing fetuses. To help address the issue about pregnancy outcomes, ATSDR began a study in 1995. In an interim report released in 1997, ATSDR identified approximately 6000 infants whose mothers resided in VOC-exposed housing areas while pregnant. A statistically significant decrease in mean birth weight and a statistically significant increase in small for gestational age was observed for male infants born to mothers whose housing was supplied with water from Hadnot Point. No differences in mean birthweight or the condition small for gestational age were noted in most residents receiving water from Tarawa Terrace compared with residents of other housing areas. However, in Tarawa Terrace residents, the children of mothers who were 35 years of age or older and the children of mothers who had previously had a fetal loss were more likely to have been born small for gestational age. Infants whose mothers were very briefly exposed to VOCs from the Holcomb Boulevard system did not have decreased mean birthweight and were not more likely to be born small for gestational age.
Pesticide levels in surface soil at Building 712 at Site 2, a former day-care center, were of health concern. The pesticides of concern were chlordane and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its breakdown products, dichlorodiphenyldichlorethane (DDD) and dichlorodiphenyldichlorethylene (DDE), which have remained in the surface soil since the 1950s, when the site was used for pesticide storage and handling. ATSDR recommended that MCB Camp Lejeune prevent further pesticide exposure for approximately 20 current office and lawn-care workers. Consequently, MCB Camp Lejeune restricted access to the contaminated soil areas and in 1994 removed the contaminated soil from the parking lot and lawn areas. Each year from 1966 to 1982, approximately 60 people, including adults and children, attended a day-care center located in Building 712. They were also exposed to pesticide-laden soil. Workers and other adults who used the parking lot over time may have inhaled or swallowed enough contaminated soil to increase their risk of developing cancer over their lifetime. However, noncancerous adverse health effects are unlikely in any of the people exposed.
POTENTIAL (INDETERMINATE) PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ATSDR concluded that two possible exposure situations present potential public health hazards. In the first situation, suspected fish contamination in Brinson Creek, additional sampling is needed to determine the extent of mercury present in Brinson Creek fish and whether the levels present a public health hazard. In the second situation, suspected contamination of fish and shellfish in Northeast Creek near the New River, sampling of fish and shellfish in this area has not been conducted and would be required to determine if the contamination from Sites 7, 16, and 80 presents a health hazard to people eating fish and shellfish caught in Northeast Creek. In both of these locations, the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (NCDEHNR) will be conducting additional fish sampling in late July 1997 to determine the public health implications of eating fish caught from both of these areas.
Suspected contamination of largemouth bass in Brinson Creek is a potential health hazard because sampling results are not conclusive. In April 1997, only two largemouth bass were caught in Brinson Creek. One contained elevated mercury levels, the other did not. Therefore, before further actions can be taken, additional fish must be caught to provide a better understanding of the actual mercury levels in Brinson Creek fish. Camp Lejeune is working in cooperation with the NCDEHNR to determine the accuracy of previous sampling data before specific advisories are issued. Additional sampling by NCDEHNR is planned for July 1997. ATSDR will consult with NCDEHNR and MCB Camp Lejeune to coordinate actions needed to protect public health.
Suspected contamination of fish and shellfish in Northeast Creek near the New River is a potential health hazard because surface water and sediments were found to be contaminated. However, Northeast Creek fish and shellfish have not been included in the sampling at these sites. This area of the New River and Northeast Creek supports recreational as well as commercial fishing. Sampling results of soil, surface water, and sediments at these sites have shown elevated levels of metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and can reach higher levels when concentrated by fish and shellfish up the food chain. Levels in fish and shellfish can be ten to thousands of times greater than levels found in soil, sediments, or surface water. For this reason, ATSDR recommended fish of edible species and size (i.e., crabs and mollusks/bivalves if present) be analyzed for metals (mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium), PCBs, PAHs, and pesticides to determine if any recommendations are needed to protect people who eat fish and shellfish caught in this area. NCDEHNR will be conducting the sampling at Northeast Creek and this area of the New River in July 1997 before MCB Camp Lejeune selects a remediation alternative for these sites.
NO APPARENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ATSDR concluded that three situations were no apparent public health hazards: (1) groundwater contamination on base, (2) exposure to contaminated fish from several locations on base, and (3) soil contamination at Site 69. In these situations, people are using these areas and contamination could be present. However, in each situation, certain conditions exist (e.g., the levels of contamination are low and long-term monitoring is being conducted to ensure that people do not come in contact with contaminants at levels that cause health problems, or an area was covered with clean fill, making human exposure unlikely.
Groundwater contamination on base is considered no apparent public health hazard because several programs are in place to detect, monitor, and predict groundwater contamination flow before people could be exposed to any contaminated drinking water. All drinking water on base is provided by on-base wells. All groundwater information is compiled and assimilated under several programs that can predict the likelihood of any wells being threatened by contamination and the estimated time that contamination could reach the wells. This information is vital for the protection of the base drinking water supply and for the protection of people on base who drink the water. This type of information could also be used to establish an optimum drilling location for future drinking water supply wells.
Exposure from Eating Fish from Wallace Creek, Bear Head Creek, Cogdels Creek, Orde Pond, Everett Creek, and the New River near Sites 28, 69, and 48 presents no apparent public health hazard. Levels of contaminants detected in fish and shellfish from the specified locations on base were low and, therefore, do not present a health hazard to people (children, pregnant women, or other adults) who eat them. ATSDR evaluated fish consumption based on an 8-ounce meal for adults and a 4-ounce meal for children. We assumed that people would eat no more than one fish meal per week of fish from these areas containing the maximum detected contaminant levels. Because these assumptions are conservative, they are protective of even the most sensitive fish consumers. Fishing is permitted at all these locations with a North Carolina state fishing license. For fishing at Orde Pond or any other on-base pond, a MCB Camp Lejeune fishing permit is required.
Soil contamination at Site 69--Rifle Range Chemical Dump is considered no apparent health hazard because the hazardous substances deposited here were buried and all waste was covered with clean fill dirt; therefore, it is unlikely that contaminated soil could migrate from this site. Additionally, a fence surrounding the site prevents people from readily accessing the site.
NO PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ATSDR concluded that two other situations are not public health hazards because no contamination was detected in the media or because debris and contaminated soil were removed.
Suspected soil contamination at Site 28-Orde Recreational Area, previously known as Site 28-- Hadnot Point Burn Dump is considered no public health hazard because ashes from the burn area were covered with a tremendous volume of clean fill dirt (between 185,000 and 379,000 cubic yards) when the site was closed in 1971. MCB Camp Lejeune's Remedial Investigation indicates that surface soil in the playground and picnic areas are not contaminated.
Physical hazards and possible soil contamination at Site 43-Agan Street Dump present no public health hazard because various debris and contaminated surface soil was removed in 1995. Therefore children from the nearby housing area would not be exposed.
This report is organized by exposure situations. These situations are discussed in the order of their public health importance. The exposure situations and the sites at which they occurred are listed below. The term site is used to describe a distinct area to which MCB Camp Lejeune has assigned a reference number. Exposure situation is used to describe conditions and circumstances by which people could come in contact with contaminants.
In preparing this public health assessment, ATSDR relied on the information provided in the referenced documents. Some references used to develop this public health assessment were MCB Camp Lejeune's preliminary documents that were undergoing Navy, EPA, and state review. ATSDR assumes that adequate quality assurance and quality control measures were followed with regard to chain of custody, laboratory procedures, and data reporting. The validity of the analyses and conclusions drawn for this public health assessment are determined by the availability and reliability of the referenced information. Data about which ATSDR had concerns are noted in the discussion for that situation.
During the environmental investigations at MCB Camp Lejeune, base personnel identified 76 sites from old documents and interviews with past and current employees. Environmental sampling was conducted at 22 of those sites where there was strong evidence to suggest environmental contamination. To date, MCB Camp Lejeune has identified 94 potentially contaminated sites. On further investigation, 34 of these 94 sites warranted inclusion into the Installation Restoration Program, requiring extensive environmental sampling to characterize the nature and extent of contamination. The 34 sites are grouped into 18 Operable Units (OU) based on proximity or contaminant similarities (see Figure 1). MCB Camp Lejeune will evaluate all OU sites for cleanup during the feasibility study phase.
ATSDR reviewed the available environmental data and information on sites included in the Installation Restoration Program. From this data and from the information gathered during our site visits and from our visual inspections, we identified 10 sites that had potential for human exposure (Sites 2, 48, 6, 9, 82, 43, 69, 7, 80, and 28). Additionally, exposure was identified from lead in tap water and volatile organic compounds in tap water, situations unrelated to a specific site. Appendix B-2 describes our evaluation of all 34 sites. The body of the report discusses the 10 exposure situations we identified and evaluated.
ATSDR assigns conclusion categories to sites based on their level of public health hazard. At MCB Camp Lejeune, we have further clarified the "Public Health Hazard" conclusion category by stating whether or not is a current or past hazard. ATSDR's conclusion categories are explained in Appendix C.
| CONCLUSION CATEGORY | SITUATIONS/SITES |
| Past Public Health Hazards | A. Lead Exposure (Tap Water)
B. Volatile Organic Compound Exposure (Tap Water) C. Pesticide Exposure (Soil at Site 2) |
| Potential (Indeterminate) Public Health Hazards | A. Exposure to Contaminated Fish and Shellfish from Brinson Creek (Sites 35 and 36)
B. Suspected Fish and Shellfish Contamination in Northeast Creek near branch at New River |
| No Apparent Public Health Hazards | A. Groundwater Contamination (Base wide)
B. Exposure from Eating Fish from Wallace Creek, Bearhead Creek, Cogdels Creek, Orde Pond, Everett Creek, and the New River near Sites 28, 69, and 48 C. Soil Contamination (Site 69) |
| No Public Health Hazards | A. Suspected Soil Contamination (Site 28)
B. Physical Hazards and Possible Soil Contamination (Site 43) |
SITE DESCRIPTION/HISTORY/DEMOGRAPHICS/LAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES USE
MCB Camp Lejeune covers a large area; approximately 233 square miles (151,000 acres) in Onslow County, North Carolina, bordering the Atlantic Ocean on the southeast. MCB Camp Lejeune consists of two major geographical regions divided by the New River: Mainside is east of the New River; Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River is west of it.
Currently, there are six major Marine Corps commands and two Navy commands, which include reconnaissance, intelligence, infantry, artillery, and amphibious units. Camp Lejeune also operates training schools for infantry, engineers, service support, and medical support. Additionally, Marine Corps Air Station New River consists of helicopter and Marine Aircraft groups. Although the MCAS is a separate command, the real estate it occupies is owned by the Marine Corps Base. Camp Lejeune also operates the Naval Hospital and Naval Dental Center, which provide primary medical and dental care to 110,000 marines, sailors, and their families (1).
MCB Camp Lejeune is a densely populated base; over 43,200 active duty military personnel were stationed there in January 1990, with 51,656 dependents. The base has a relatively young population; 63% of the 30,764 military personnel and dependents living on the base are between the ages of 15 and 24, and only 1% of the population is age 60 or over. Over 75% of the population is male (2). Base housing consists of barracks for unmarried service personnel (enlisted and officer), enlisted family housing, and officer family housing in many areas throughout Mainside and MCAS.
The city of Jacksonville, adjacent to the northern edge of the base, has a current population of approximately 31,000. This is an 80% increase from the 1990 population of just over 17,000 people. Jacksonville's 1990 population was 80.1% white, 16.4% black, and 2.8% Hispanic. Approximately 9% of the 1990 population was under age 5, with greater than 8% at age 60 and over. The percentage of families in Jacksonville with incomes below poverty level in 1979 was 14.8%, nearly the same as the state percentage of 14.5%.
Onslow County's current population is approximately 131,000 people. The county population grew by 12.2% from 1980 to 1986, despite a net loss of 2,600 people through migration (i.e., more people moved away than moved in). There were approximately 19,400 births and only 3,000 deaths in the county during this period. This accounts for the entire population increase. These figures reflect the unusually high percentage of young couples in their childbearing years typically found residing at major military bases. Only about half of those who lived in the county in 1975 still lived there in 1980, a trend that indicates the transient nature of military populations. There were approximately 145 males for every 100 females in Onslow County in 1984. This high ratio is also typical of the areas around military bases.
Environmental contamination has occurred at many areas on base since MCB Camp Lejeune began operation in 1942 because of the use, handling, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. The potential for human contact with contamination is great because of the large number of people on base and the number of suspected contaminated areas scattered within the industrial, training, and near residential areas on base.
In 1983, MCB Camp Lejeune began an initial assessment of the potentially contaminated areas. Seventy-six waste disposal sites, as listed in Appendix B-1, were identified as potentially contaminated. MCB Camp Lejeune listed 22 of those sites and grouped them into operable units (shown in Appendix B-2) for further investigation. Basewide environmental investigations have been ongoing since 1983 and continue under the Installation Restoration Program. As a result of environmental contamination, the base was listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List (NPL) in October 1989. Twelve additional sites have been included for a total of 34 sites in 18 Operable Units (3). Operable Units at Camp Lejeune are formed to simplify the specific problems associated with a site or group of sites. Numerical values were placed on the sites as they were identified over time. The site number does not indicate a priority. Sites in close proximity may be included in the same operable unit.
After entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense (DOD) in 1991, ATSDR visited the 96 DOD installations then on the NPL and ranked them according to their potential public health hazard. ATSDR ranking took into account the extent of contamination, the potential for people to come in contact with site contaminants, and the number and plausibility of community health concerns. On the basis of those criteria, MCB Camp Lejeune received a high priority ranking for a public health assessment compared with other NPL sites. To evaluate the public health impact that exposures to environmental contamination at MCB Camp Lejeune might have on people, ATSDR conducted four site visits to MCB Camp Lejeune. During those site visits, we reviewed sampling plans, met with base personnel and citizens in the community, and visually evaluated site conditions.
This report, as previously mentioned, focuses on the 10 identified exposure situations. It also includes our conclusions on all the 34 ranked sites (Appendix B-2) from which environmental sampling data was collected.
MCB Camp Lejeune has completed investigations for sites 2, 21, 24, 78, 48, 7, 80, 6, 9, and 82
(see Figure 1). Although exposure in the remaining sites is unlikely, we lack the environmental
data to conclude definitely that health threats do not exist in these areas. The Marine Corps
continues to monitor and characterize environmental contamination and to evaluate options for
environmental cleanup in conjunction with federal, state, and local environmental and health
agencies. For detailed information on the Marine Corps' continued environmental investigation
and remediation plans, refer to MCB Camp Lejeune's documents at the public repositories:
Onslow County Public Library and MCB Camp Lejeune Library.
