Today, the Environmental Health Journal released new findings on birth issues and connection to contaminated water aboard Camp Lejeune. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate associations between residential prenatal exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during 1968–1985 and preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (TLBW), and mean birth weight deficit (MBW).
The purpose of this study is to determine if maternal exposures to contaminants in drinking water at Camp Lejeune were associated with preterm birth and fetal growth retardation as measured by reduced mean birth weight (MBW), term low birth weight (TLBW), and SGA. The current study improves upon previous studies. It is a re-analysis of a previous study that evaluated these adverse birth outcomes and exposure to VOC-contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune categorized simply as exposed versus unexposed. The current study used the results of extensive water modeling to estimate maternal exposures to mean monthly contaminant levels in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune which were unavailable during the previous study.
It concludes:
“Findings suggested associations between in utero exposures to TCE and small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth rate (TLBW) and reduced mean birth weight (MBW); benzene and TLBW; and PCE and preterm birth.”
Yet more evidence adding to the mountain of evidence released by ATSDR researchers this year alone that, in sum, overwhelmingly and definitively show contamination exposure links to health risks in every constituency, including in military, spouses, civilians and children…even in utero.
Click to Download the full version of the report from Environmental Health: Civilian Exposure CDC ATSDR Birth Study 11-21-2014
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10 comments
Please add me to your list. My sister lived on Camp Lejeune and has passed away and her daughter (born there during time frame) has leukemia. We need info. Thanks
Hi Cathy,
I am so sorry for the loss of your sister and for the leukemia that her daughter must deal with. Thanks for reaching out and I will make sure you stay up to date. You’re on the list. – GS
is there any study for people who were stationed in Camp Lejeune from 1994-2005, all three of my children were low birth weight, my first born was IUGR, my daughter was dx with spina bifida occulata with learning disabilities?
Hi Jackye,
Unfortunately, not much has been looked at from the 90s onward. What I will say is that the groundwater contamination of the ’50s-’80s probably didn’t just magically disappear by 1990. It is thought that there remains a significant plume of the toxins underground that could make their way to the surface at some point, but no details are known. There are a set of water quality reports covering 1999-2010 released from Lejeune. You can review those here: http://www.lejeune.marines.mil/OfficesStaff/EnvironmentalMgmt/AnnualReports/WaterQualityReports19992010
Hope that helps a bit…-GS
Is it possible for a mother that was housed at Camp Lejeune for more than 30 days be exposed to contaminants that permanently affect every child she gives birth to even years after she was no longer living at Camp Lejeune? Have you found any connection with the contaminants and a father’s sperm?
Ricardo,
You pose a very interesting question that needs to be dissected into parts to answer. First, it is absolutely possible for ANYONE aboard Lejeune for more than 30 days between 1953-1987 to be exposed to various contaminants involved. Second, whether those would permanently affect EVERY child birthed in out years is uncertain. If they were already pregnant at the same time as their presence aboard the base, then in utero exposures are, indeed, likely. To your last part regarding father’s sperm, that’s not definitive. There is, however, growing concern about the long-term shifts, at the DNA level, in those exposed. If this were proven true, then logic suggests that the DNA passed through a father’s sperm could have an impact. Again, that’s a hypothetical at this point until proven. I wish I had more definitive answers for you. That said, your question poses an excellent avenue for further research into the matter and I we’ll explore, uncover and post here whatever we can dig up on this soon. – GS
RJ: Thanks for the question. While the answer is not certain, I would point you to this recent article and information we found regarding the potential for DNA damage from contamination – http://www.civilianexposure.org/can-contamination-pose-multi-generational-concerns-via-dna-damage/ . I hope this helps and we’ll dig into this one a bit more too. – GS
Thanks for the question. While the answer is not certain, I would point you to this recent article and information we found regarding the potential for DNA damage from contamination – http://www.civilianexposure.org/can-contamination-pose-multi-generational-concerns-via-dna-damage/ . I hope this helps and we’ll dig into this one a bit more too. – GS
I just recently found out about this toxic water through a Facebook advertisement. My Father was stationed at Camp Lejeune. I was born there in 1955. My parents lived in base housing. I had the same question about the lingering side effects in a Father’s sperm and a Mother passing things on to future children. Me and my siblings do have health issues.
My dad was there and later he met my mom and they had six kids 3 of the six kids had have numerological diseases als ms mus ular dystraly could this be caused thru my dad and his sperm since he dramk this contaminated water?