Agencies

While we often consider the ramifications of munitions dumping, burn pits, and other base…

We found the following summary of VA health registry programs and services regarding most…

With a number of military bases on the EPA Superfund Site list, or with…

PFCs, PFOA and PFOS are becoming the latest spotlight issue in a long line…

Even more important, chemicals in the vapor can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin at a potency of 5x that of water ingestion. Therefore, exposure to concentrated soil vapor can be even more hazardous than drinking the contaminated water on base alone. This is why a proper and detailed soil vapor intrusion toxicity pathway should be evaluated, considered and included in current or future language.

Since 2012 and the passage of a law related to Camp Lejeune contamination, few claims have been approved for care regarding Camp Lejeune toxic water contamination. Last year, the VA admitted that the denial rate was above 95% for all Camp Lejeune claims processed through the VA.  While that rate may be softening a bit, complaints continue.

PFOA/PFOS are starting to emerge as a potential contaminant for military bases. Many military bases have used firefighting foams that include these chemicals, adding yet another potential health hazard to the toxic groundwater contamination cocktail on bases across the country.

This review is intended to assist the VA in making policy decision regarding the relationship between drinking water exposures to chemicals at Camp Lejeune and various health effects. The results of this review represent ATSDR’s assessment of the state of evidence at this time and we recognize that classifications used and the strength of evidence are subject to differing opinions and interpretations.

In a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives today, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) criticized the lack of significant action to reform the Veterans Administration one year after the firing of former director Shinseki and the installation of Robert McDonald to the post.

In addition, the typical language of “limited or suggestive evidence” and “conflicting scientific evidence” that once again surfaces from the VA. As we all know all too well, there is plenty of definitive scientific evidence that shows elevated risks for certain cancers and other health concerns as a result of exposure to Camp Lejeune toxic water contamination.  Four studies in 2014 from the ATSDR reveal this in the military, spouses, children and civilian workers from the base.  The results are neither “limited or suggestive”.  All of those studies can be found here.