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June 26th, 2006

"Birth Defects Linked to Tainted Water"

Late last week, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment calling for an almost immediate investigation into past water contamination at the Camp Lejeune Marine base in North Carolina.

The amendment, proposed by Senators Elizabeth Dole and Jim Jeffords, calls for a “comprehensive review and evaluation” of scientific evidence about the associated health risks of trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE).

Both chemicals, which have been linked to a number of birth defects and other serious illnesses such as cancer, seeped into Camp Lejeune drinking water in the late 1950s. The water remained contaminated with TCE and PCE until 1985 when the affected wells were capped.

If the bill receives presidential approval, the National Academy of Sciences will be required to work together with the Department of the Navy to study the health effects of the volatile organic compounds and provide a report to Congress within 18 months.

The Academy will also be required to take under review all relevant studies, including those conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The ATSDR has conducted several studies on the ill effects of the contaminated water since the early 1990s and has particularly focused on “adverse pregnancy outcomes,” including the incidence of specific birth defects.

Dole and Jeffords both released statements saying they hope this legislation will help families affected by the tainted water.

“I have heard from constituents and other Marine families whose children have suffered birth defects and even fatal illnesses, and these families believe that their tragedies were caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune,” Dole said.

“We must uncover and evaluate the facts about this incident – and I am hopeful that this provision will help those families who are seeking answers,” she added.

Jeffords echoed this sentiment by saying that he was “hopeful that this study will provide the information these families need to answer questions that have lingered for far too long.”

He added, “This is the minimum that our government should be doing to address the grievous failure on the part of the Marine Corps to adequately protect its service members and their families.”

As part of the amendment, the Marine Corps will be compelled to authorize a mass notification through newspapers, television, and the Internet to inform the public of the possible risks of the TCE/PCE tainted water.

If your child was born with a preventable birth defect, you may wish to speak with a caring and experienced attorney you can help you understand your legal rights.