The PFAS drinking water level at Camp Lejeune was 2,500 times higher than the safe limit
After 1966, when AFFF, the main source of PFAS, was invented by the U.S. Navy and the 3M company, the drinking water of most military bases across the country became severely contaminated with these harmful substances, also known as "forever chemicals."
As a very effective fire suppressant, AFFF can contain up to 98% PFAS, which makes it extremely dangerous.
After PFAS are released into the environment, they do not fully break down, and they can easily infiltrate groundwater and surface water, posing a tremendous health threat to everyone living at military bases.
Right now, the Department of Defense is evaluating the risk of exposure presented by PFAS water contamination at Camp Lejeune. It estimates that the assessment will be completed at the end of 2025. However, the cleanup of the chemicals from the drinking water of the military installation will most likely take several decades. This is because PFAS are very challenging to remove from the water, even by the Environmental Protection Agency, hence their nickname "forever chemicals".
In addition to the use of the fire suppressant AFFF by military firefighters and trainees, there are other sources of PFAS contamination at Camp Lejeune, such as:
- industrial wastewater sludge
- the site of a helicopter crash
- the Camp Geiger Dump
To understand how acute the issue of PFAS water contamination is at Camp Lejeune, it is important to know that the chemicals lurk on at least 14 sites of the military base. In the spring of 2022, Congress set aside more money for the cleanup of PFAS at military bases, more specifically, $517 million. Of the nearly 700 military installations on the Pentagon's evaluation list, 11 are in North Carolina, making toxic exposure very likely for everyone who lives close to these sites.
Our resourceful attorneys offer quality legal assistance to toxic exposure victims
With over 25 years of experience in toxic exposure, our attorneys and legal team are ready to provide you with the assistance you need if you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 consecutive days and developed a health problem related to drinking contaminated water.
Veterans who want to take legal action must retrieve their military records and their medical records and send these documents to our specialized attorneys, while their affected family members must bring us proof of having lived on Camp Lejeune and their medical records.
After a careful review of your case, we will determine whether you qualify for compensation and VA benefits. If you do, we will file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim or lawsuit and a VA claim on your behalf. During this part of the legal process, you can go on as usual with your life, as we are well aware that toxic exposure victims often need a lot of time to focus on their health and treatment. In the end, you may receive the financial compensation you are eligible for and the VA benefits you qualify for.
