Study: Marines at Camp Lejeune Experience 70% Increased Risk of Parkinson's Disease
A new scientific study published in JAMA Neurology has revealed a concerning connection between military service at Camp Lejeune and a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune were found to have a 70% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
Trichloroethylene (TCE), a main contaminant in the water at Camp Lejeune, has been linked to Parkinson’s Disease for over 50 years in scientific studies. TCE’s widespread use in industries across the world makes it especially concerning for public health at large.
The new study compared health records of over 300,000 military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1975 and 1985 to data from Camp Pendleton, CA, Researchers followed up on the rates of Parkinson’s Disease between the years 1997 and 2021.
The risk of Parkinson’s Disease was 70% greater for Camp Lejeune veterans in comparison to those stationed at Camp Pendleton.
Parkinson's Disease Linked To Contaminated Water At Camp Lejeune
An increased risk of Parkinson’s Disease has been identified by professionals who’ve studied the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and veteran medical records as a particularly common diagnosis.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a brain disorder that causes uncontrollable movements, shaking, stiffness, and trouble with balance and coordination.
Parkinson’s Disease progresses over time, beginning with minor tics and difficulties, but later progressing to a point where those afflicted with the disorder have trouble walking, talking and sleeping, and undergo other mental challenges such as behavioral changes, depression, fatigue, memory lapses, and more.
Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors
Parkinson’s Disease can be linked to a number of different factors, both environmental factors and non-environmental, genetic factors.
Environmental risk factors for Parkinson’s Disease include, but are not limited to:
- Exposure to Pesticides: Farmers and people who live near farm fields have an increased risk for Parkinson’s Disease from exposure to certain chemical solvents and pesticides, such as Paraquat.
- Exposure to Water Contamination: People who drink contaminated water have an increased risk for Parkinson’s Disease, especially if contaminants in the water include chemical solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), which was present in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is used in a number of household products such as carpet cleaners, shoe polishing chemicals, paint thinners, and more. Occupational exposure to TCE can result in a number of health conditions, as validated by scientific evidence listed below.
TCE has been widely used by dry cleaners, and ABC Cleaners situated nearby the military base was a main source of TCE contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Research and publications on the relation between TCE exposure and Parkinson’s Disease include the following:
Parkinson’s Disease Complications
As mentioned previously, Parkinson’s Disease symptoms and complications progress over time and increase in severity. The progression of symptoms is different for every person diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary, with some being relatively minor and others extremely harmful and difficult to cope with on a daily basis:
- Tremors in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowness of movement
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Depression and other emotional changes
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing and chewing
- Urinary issues and constipation
- Skin problems (dryness, itchiness, rashes)
Parkinson’s Disease Treatment
There is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, but there are certain medications, therapeutic methods, and surgical intervention to relieve the symptoms for patients.
Medications, such as Levodopa and Carbidopa, work to increase levels of dopamine.
Other medications are also used, such as enzyme inhibitors used to increase dopamine levels by slowing down enzymes that break down dopamine in the brain, Amantadine to help reduce involuntary movement, and Anticholinergic drugs used to reduce muscle stiffness and tremors.
Some patients do not respond well to certain medications. Other methods can be used when this is the case, including deep brain stimulation, physical therapy, diet adjustments, exercises, massage therapy and more.
What Other Health Conditions Has Water Contamination At Camp Lejeune Been Linked To?
Exposure to harmful chemicals present in Camp Lejeune’s water have resulted in tragic health conditions for thousands of people.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a list of health conditions that have a “presumptive service connection”- meaning, they will compensate claimants with these health conditions almost automatically due to the strong scientific and medical evidence related to the listed conditions.
The consumption of Camp Lejeune contaminated water has been linked to a number of cancer and non-cancer diagnoses including, but not limited to:
- Bladder Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Adult Leukemia
- Aplastic Anemia
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Renal Toxicity
- Multiple Myeloma
- Other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Miscarriage, infertility and birth defects
- Many more diagnoses
Service members, their families, civilian workers, and countless others were diagnosed with deadly health conditions, and for years could not secure the benefits they desperately need.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act: Helping those Exposed to Camp Lejeune's Contaminated Water Supply
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a new piece of legislation that has been signed into law by President Biden.
This bill is encompassed by the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which grants new health care, disability benefits and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act affords Camp Lejeune residents the ability to sue and recover damages for exposure to the toxic substances in the water supply, one of the first times the federal government has allowed legal action of this sort. This bill overrides a previous North Carolina statute that barred legal action of this sort.
Camp Lejeune veterans and Camp Lejeune families will be able to secure compensation for health problems and medical expenses related to the toxic chemicals they were exposed to while living on the base.
Those eligible will file Camp Lejeune lawsuits in the U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina.
In the past, several bills were introduced to address the issue at the North Carolina military base but none have had any widespread impact for victims and families.
Now, people who were denied benefits or compensation in the past may have a fair shot at adequate compensation.
Camp Lejeune Parkinson's Disease Lawsuit
With the Senate passage of the PACT Act, and the signing of the bill into law by President Biden, Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits are able to be filed by any person exposed to contaminated water at the Marine Corps base between 1953 and 1987.
Families affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination can finally get the compensation and justice they rightfully deserve.
If you, a family member or a loved one was exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between these dates, and developed Parkinson’s Disease, you may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.
Do not hesitate to reach out to our firm if you believe you may have a potential Parkinson’s Disease claim.
We thank the brave veterans for their service to our country. Now let us serve you. Our law firm is dedicated to achieving justice for service members and their families.
TorHoerman Law is accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Cancer Lawsuits in all 50 states.
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