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April 6th, 2023One of the chemicals identified in the water at Camp Lejeune may be associated with a 500% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. An article published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease suggested that exposure to this chemical is responsible for the rise in diagnosed Parkinson’s disease cases in the last decade. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a solvent previously used at Camp Lejeune to degrease metal and for dry cleaning. TCE is one of the many chemicals at the heart of Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. If you were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and developed Parkinson’s disease, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
TCE is a clear and colorless chemical solvent first created in a lab in 1864. The chemical has several unique properties that make it useful for manufacturing rubber, adhesives, paint strippers, cleaning electronics, and degreasing engine parts. TCE was utilized by industrial, commercial, military, and medical industries due to its multipurpose functions.
Another closely related chemical to TCE found at Camp Lejeune is perchloroethylene (PCE). Despite its many applications, TCE may cause several health complications, including Parkinson’s disease at Camp Lejeune.
The Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina, established in 1942, served as one of the largest military bases in the U.S. As the base expanded, so did its population. This military training facility housed thousands of service members, their families, and civilians. Since people lived at Camp Lejeune, the base had supermarkets, schools, gyms, and even a dry-cleaning facility to accommodate residents.
Among its many abilities, TCE quickly evaporates and does not shrink fabrics. Therefore, ABC One-Hour Cleaners at Camp Lejeune used the chemical to dry clean clothes. Unfortunately, TCE leaked into the soil and groundwater, contaminating the base’s water supply. The base also used TCE to clean metal parts but did not safely dispose of the chemical, further polluting the drinking water.
Testing revealed extremely high concentrations of TCE in the water supply at the Camp Lejeune military base. In 1974, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure the public had access to clean and safe drinking water. The EPA set the maximum level of TCE that is safe for drinking water at 5 parts per billion (ppb). However, levels of TCE in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water were 280 times higher than the safety standard. Drinking and using the toxic water at Camp Lejeune may have residents to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Based on a review of existing scientific literature and exposure cases, the new study suggests that TCE has a role in the global rise of Parkinson’s disease rates. While the use of TCE continues to increase, the study calls for a worldwide ban on the dangerous chemical. Researchers recognize the connection between TCE and Parkinson’s disease as a substantial threat to public health.
The study warned that the number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Without any change, this number will likely double again by 2040. Genetic factors, head trauma, and pesticides can contribute to Parkinson’s disease. However, the study indicated that TCE may be to blame for the dramatic rise of the neurodegenerative disease.
TCE is found in half of the 1300 most toxic “Superfund” sites, including Camp Lejeune. The EPA placed Camp Lejeune on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) on October 4, 1989. This list is for contaminated sites that are dangerous for public health and the environment. TCE is linked to Parkinson’s disease at Camp Lejeune, but it is also associated with an increased risk of:
It is difficult to determine the exact number of people who may have developed Parkinson’s disease from exposure to TCE and other toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune. However, it is clear that the contamination of the base’s drinking water had a devastating impact on the health of thousands of military personnel, their families, and civilians.
Over 1 million people may have been exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. Hundreds have filed Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease lawsuits and claims for other injuries sustained at the military base.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or another illness after living or serving at Camp Lejeune, The Lake Law Firm is here for you. Our dedicated Camp Lejeune attorneys are ready to fight for those injured by the polluted water at the military base.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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