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Anyone who was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has a risk of developing any of the diseases listed below. If you or someone you know may have been exposed, please see your doctor immediately and get tested for these diseases.
A number of diseases can be caused by drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These include gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, and a range of other serious health problems. Some of the most common diseases associated with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are listed below.
Cancer
Cancers include multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and lung, breast, kidney, or bladder cancer. Some of the cancers are rare but can still be a concern. Others may not show up for years after exposure. It’s important to know that many types of cancer can be treated with medications and surgery or prevented by avoiding sources of contamination like water with high levels of TCE and PCE, the two deadly toxins found at camp Lejeune.
Kidney damage
Kidney damage is the most serious of all the health effects that may occur due to water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Kidney damage can cause kidney failure, which means that your kidneys no longer work properly, and you need dialysis or a transplant before you die. Kidney damage can also lead to high blood pressure and other conditions that cause heart disease and stroke (which are both fatal). If you have kidney problems due to exposure to chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune, you must get medical treatment immediately!
Liver damage
PCE, a chemical compound found in abundance in water at camp Lejeune is a known liver toxicant, and acute exposure to high levels of PCE can cause liver damage. PCE is thought to cause liver damage by interfering with the normal metabolism of fats in the liver. This can lead to the accumulation of fat in the liver and ultimately to liver cell death. PCE has also been shown to cause DNA damage in liver cells, which can lead to the development of liver cancer. There is no safe level of exposure to PCE, and even low levels of exposure can cause liver damage. Therefore, it is important to avoid drinking water that may be contaminated with PCE.
Fertility problems, including low birth weight and infertility
Fertility problems, including low birth weight and infertility, are among the most serious health risks associated with water contamination. Fertility issues can occur in men and women. In fact, it’s estimated that up to one-third of all couples affected by Camp Lejeune contamination may experience fertility problems as a result of their exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune or elsewhere during their military service.
In order to diagnose whether you have been exposed to these toxins, your doctor will perform an ovulation test on you. If this test reveals that your body has been exposed to harmful chemicals and other contaminants, they will recommend additional testing.
Brain and nervous system disorders
Studies have shown that tetrachloroethylene (PCE) can adversely affect the brain, including impairment of cognitive function and memory. Exposure to tetrachloroethylene by drinking contaminated water at camp Lejeune has also been linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety. In animal studies, tetrachloroethylene has been shown to cause damage to the hippocampus, a region of the brain important for learning and memory. These effects may be due to the ability of tetrachloroethylene to disrupt the normal function of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Drinking contaminated water at camp Lejeune is also linked with several other brain pathologies
* Brain cancer.
* Parkinson’s disease.
* ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Conclusion
If you or a loved one was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, it is important that you speak with a doctor about your symptoms. If you have any questions about the risks associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, please contact an attorney today.