Jul 31, 2009
TheHill.com - Veterans groups have ‘grave concerns’ on health bill
TheHill.com - Veterans groups have ‘grave concerns’ on health bill
--the groups state “the legislation could limit the health care choices for veterans, increase the cost of health care for veterans, deny coverage to dependent family members of veterans, and threaten the quality of health care offered to veterans through the VA health care system.”
--the groups state “the legislation could limit the health care choices for veterans, increase the cost of health care for veterans, deny coverage to dependent family members of veterans, and threaten the quality of health care offered to veterans through the VA health care system.”
Jul 30, 2009
S.1518 Water Contamination
S. 1518 To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.
read the full bill here
read the full bill here
Bill for Lejeune Vets- Water Contamination
[111th CONGRESS Senate Bills]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: s1518is.txt]
[Introduced in Senate]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1518
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at
Camp Lejeune.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 27, 2009
Mr. Burr introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at
Camp Lejeune.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act
of 2009''.
SEC. 2. HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING HOME CARE FOR
VETERANS STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHILE
THE WATER WAS CONTAMINATED AT CAMP LEJEUNE.
(a) In General.--Section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran who, as a member of the
Armed Forces, was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during a
period, determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in which the water at Camp
Lejeune was contaminated by volatile organic compounds, including known
human carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, is eligible for
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under subsection
(a)(2)(F) for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient
medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such
contamination.''.
(b) Family Members.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1786. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was
contaminated at Camp Lejeune
``(a) In General.--A family member of a veteran described in
subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) of this title who resided at
Camp Lejeune during the period described in such subparagraph or who
was in utero during such period while the mother of such family member
resided at such location shall be eligible for hospital care, medical
services, and nursing home care furnished by the Secretary for any
condition, or any disability that is associated with such condition,
that is associated with exposure to the contaminants in the water at
Camp Lejeune during such period.
``(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations that
specify which--
``(1) conditions are associated with exposure to the
contaminants described in subsection (a); and
``(2) disabilities are associated with such conditions.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 1785 the following new item:
``1786. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water
was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.''.
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID: s1518is.txt]
[Introduced in Senate]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1518
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at
Camp Lejeune.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 27, 2009
Mr. Burr introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed
at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at
Camp Lejeune.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act
of 2009''.
SEC. 2. HOSPITAL CARE, MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING HOME CARE FOR
VETERANS STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, WHILE
THE WATER WAS CONTAMINATED AT CAMP LEJEUNE.
(a) In General.--Section 1710(e)(1) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran who, as a member of the
Armed Forces, was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during a
period, determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in which the water at Camp
Lejeune was contaminated by volatile organic compounds, including known
human carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, is eligible for
hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care under subsection
(a)(2)(F) for any illness, notwithstanding that there is insufficient
medical evidence to conclude that such illness is attributable to such
contamination.''.
(b) Family Members.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``Sec. 1786. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was
contaminated at Camp Lejeune
``(a) In General.--A family member of a veteran described in
subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) of this title who resided at
Camp Lejeune during the period described in such subparagraph or who
was in utero during such period while the mother of such family member
resided at such location shall be eligible for hospital care, medical
services, and nursing home care furnished by the Secretary for any
condition, or any disability that is associated with such condition,
that is associated with exposure to the contaminants in the water at
Camp Lejeune during such period.
``(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations that
specify which--
``(1) conditions are associated with exposure to the
contaminants described in subsection (a); and
``(2) disabilities are associated with such conditions.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 1785 the following new item:
``1786. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water
was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.''.
NC's Hagan backs bill on Camp Lejeune water - Charlotte, NC-
North Carolina's junior U.S. Senator Richard Burr wants to co-sponsor a bill to give Department of Veterans Affairs health care to those exposed to contaminated water at the Marines' Camp Lejeune.
Sen. Kay Hagan said in a statement Wednesday that she will also push for a Senate hearing on the issue.
NC's Hagan backs bill on Camp Lejeune water - Charlotte, NC-
More stories related to this bill:
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/july282009/burr_lejeune_7-28-09.php
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/state/nc-senator-introduces-bill-on-lejeune-water-742509.html
http://www.news14.com/content/local_news/coastal/612560/bill-to-help-those-exposed-to-toxic-wells-at-lejeune/Default.aspx
Sen. Kay Hagan said in a statement Wednesday that she will also push for a Senate hearing on the issue.
NC's Hagan backs bill on Camp Lejeune water - Charlotte, NC-
More stories related to this bill:
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/july282009/burr_lejeune_7-28-09.php
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/state/nc-senator-introduces-bill-on-lejeune-water-742509.html
http://www.news14.com/content/local_news/coastal/612560/bill-to-help-those-exposed-to-toxic-wells-at-lejeune/Default.aspx
Teachers File FEC Complaint against NEA for Illegal PAC Money Laundering Scheme
Obama's helping hands caught in the cookie jar... someone explain to me how he legally got elected!
Jul 23, 2009
Is ACORN Intentionally Structured As a Criminal Enterprise?
I had to share this! I'm reading it right now! Pass it along...
Thanks for the share Bill Proctor @ http://wesurroundthemusa.ning.com/group/florida
Someone is sniffing around the ACORN tree...and what did they find?
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Darrell Issa (CA-49), Ranking Member
Staff Report-U.S. House of Representatives
111th Congress
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
July 23, 2009
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vy8WuaMHnriSdTWHdsCA5nPSPkDwCXBy2eny6038KkohoTjWPzB7n79uhbalGR_YXLDTA_f8-AdZU16iWsUYlFikGjmWj9gC6TY_KXL79gZcU6-3GiWOb9bS8v3ajgilwNgYMLzClw4esrYFuMeBkN=s0-d)
Thanks for the share Bill Proctor @ http://wesurroundthemusa.ning.com/group/florida
Someone is sniffing around the ACORN tree...and what did they find?
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Darrell Issa (CA-49), Ranking Member
Staff Report-U.S. House of Representatives
111th Congress
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
July 23, 2009
Jul 21, 2009
Paging Erin Brockovich | GOOD
Paging Erin Brockovich GOOD
No one seems to want to admit when American water isn’t safe to drink. Instead, they try to hide it.
For years, U.S. health officials have claimed that although the drinking water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune is contaminated, it poses no danger to Marines or their families. This April, the government reversed itself, saying that its assessment of the water contained “omissions” and “inaccuracies,” and adding that a million people over the course of three decades may have been exposed to the carcinogen benzene in their water. Fifteen hundred former Lejeune Marines, some of whom are now afflicted with rare lymphomas, have filed lawsuits seeking more than $33 billion. Sadly, Lejeune is just one of the many recent poisoned-water cover-ups in American history. There are others...
No one seems to want to admit when American water isn’t safe to drink. Instead, they try to hide it.
For years, U.S. health officials have claimed that although the drinking water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune is contaminated, it poses no danger to Marines or their families. This April, the government reversed itself, saying that its assessment of the water contained “omissions” and “inaccuracies,” and adding that a million people over the course of three decades may have been exposed to the carcinogen benzene in their water. Fifteen hundred former Lejeune Marines, some of whom are now afflicted with rare lymphomas, have filed lawsuits seeking more than $33 billion. Sadly, Lejeune is just one of the many recent poisoned-water cover-ups in American history. There are others...
Jul 20, 2009
Jul 7, 2009
Jun 29, 2009
Holy crap Batman! Will this 'change' of America ever stop?
I will surely be watching this story as it progresses-
-Blogged by Cato
Today at 9:58am
There is no official word on this yet, but according to Inside Higher Ed the Obama Administration is putting the finishing touches on a proposed “National Skills College”that will include federally designed — and owned — courses:
The funds envisioned for open courses — $50 million a year — may be small in comparison to the other ideas being discussed. But in proposing that the federal government pay for (and own) courses that would be free for all, as well as setting up a system to assess learning in those courses, and creating a “National Skills College” to coordinate these efforts, the plan could be significant far beyond its dollars.
Darn rightit couldbe significant! Washington would for all intents and purposes be on the way to creating a federal university, and not one like the service academies that is constitutionally justifiable underfederal defense powers. No, this one would be completely and utterly unconstitutional, and would unfairly compete with lots effective private — including for-profit –institutions. And, of course, there’s the little matter of how this would be paid for.
I’ll have more on this as details become available.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sbvPaPpKg0ktPBDRdRCrsorokrNU2AdQ9Kqh8tC8psmP4mIRTs7I1hXh2Fl2OXBvEXY8A8vxX7L2ivqrKQ9ZkVns6KBsrWAP659RgLjf3nhZSPc_kcA1Rirc_NrJEv__-rbN_su_G0kZnhMzciNC4=s0-d)
-Blogged by Cato
Today at 9:58am
There is no official word on this yet, but according to Inside Higher Ed the Obama Administration is putting the finishing touches on a proposed “National Skills College”that will include federally designed — and owned — courses:
The funds envisioned for open courses — $50 million a year — may be small in comparison to the other ideas being discussed. But in proposing that the federal government pay for (and own) courses that would be free for all, as well as setting up a system to assess learning in those courses, and creating a “National Skills College” to coordinate these efforts, the plan could be significant far beyond its dollars.
Darn rightit couldbe significant! Washington would for all intents and purposes be on the way to creating a federal university, and not one like the service academies that is constitutionally justifiable underfederal defense powers. No, this one would be completely and utterly unconstitutional, and would unfairly compete with lots effective private — including for-profit –institutions. And, of course, there’s the little matter of how this would be paid for.
I’ll have more on this as details become available.
Jun 27, 2009
Jun 25, 2009
The TCE Blog - Scientists speak out on CL Report: Disappointed, Dismayed, Disagree; Should Not Stand as Final Word (NC)
The TCE Blog - Scientists speak out on CL Report: Disappointed, Dismayed, Disagree; Should Not Stand as Final Word (NC)
Statement in response to National Research Council report on Camp Lejeune:We are disappointed and dismayed at the report titled, “Contaminated Water Supplies at Camp Lejeune – Assessing Potential Health Effects,” released by the National Research Council (NRC) on Saturday, June 13, 2009. This report was two years in preparation by scientists, many of whom we know and respect, that reached puzzling and in some cases erroneous conclusions. continue
Statement in response to National Research Council report on Camp Lejeune:We are disappointed and dismayed at the report titled, “Contaminated Water Supplies at Camp Lejeune – Assessing Potential Health Effects,” released by the National Research Council (NRC) on Saturday, June 13, 2009. This report was two years in preparation by scientists, many of whom we know and respect, that reached puzzling and in some cases erroneous conclusions. continue
Jun 24, 2009
Lejeune Water Survivors- Email from USMC
Mousedroppings- 6/24/09
Dear Registrant:
On June 13, 2009, a committee of the National Research Council (NRC) released a report on its independent review of the available scientific and medical information to determine whether adverse health outcomes are associated with past contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to 1987. The report assesses the strength of evidence associating exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water to adverse health effects in prenatal children, children, and adults.
To download the "Report in Brief," view the full report, or to download a free copy of the executive summary, please visit the National Academies website. Additionally, on April 28, 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced that they were removing the 1997 Public Health Assessment (PHA) for Camp Lejeune from their website.
According to ATSDR, the PHA should have mentioned benzene contamination and stated the extent of exposure to benzene was unknown.
ATSDR is currently conducting water modeling as part of an ongoing study to determine if past exposure to VOCs from contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune is associated with certain birth defects and childhood cancers. After the water modeling for this study is complete, ATSDR will re-analyze and update the PHA. Persons interested in reading the 1997 PHA may request a printed copy by contacting the ATSDR Records Center at (770) 488-0707 or by email.
The Marine Corps is dedicated to taking care of our Marines, Sailors, civilians and their families. Thank you again for your service to our Nation.
Dear Registrant:
On June 13, 2009, a committee of the National Research Council (NRC) released a report on its independent review of the available scientific and medical information to determine whether adverse health outcomes are associated with past contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to 1987. The report assesses the strength of evidence associating exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water to adverse health effects in prenatal children, children, and adults.
To download the "Report in Brief," view the full report, or to download a free copy of the executive summary, please visit the National Academies website. Additionally, on April 28, 2009, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced that they were removing the 1997 Public Health Assessment (PHA) for Camp Lejeune from their website.
According to ATSDR, the PHA should have mentioned benzene contamination and stated the extent of exposure to benzene was unknown.
ATSDR is currently conducting water modeling as part of an ongoing study to determine if past exposure to VOCs from contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune is associated with certain birth defects and childhood cancers. After the water modeling for this study is complete, ATSDR will re-analyze and update the PHA. Persons interested in reading the 1997 PHA may request a printed copy by contacting the ATSDR Records Center at (770) 488-0707 or by email.
The Marine Corps is dedicated to taking care of our Marines, Sailors, civilians and their families. Thank you again for your service to our Nation.
Jun 22, 2009
Only in America
I found this posting on Michele Bachmann's story, posted below on ACORN, I wanted to share her thoughts with you since it rings so very true.
Monday, June, 22, 2009 4:10 PM
Ronna writes:
Only In America
ONLY IN AMERICA..WE SPEND BILLIONS BECAUSE WE CAN'T LET GM AND CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT, AND THEN, LET GM and CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT.
ONLY IN AMERICA..CAN CONGRESS FORCE FANNIE AND FREDDIE TO BUY SUBPRIME LOANS, AND THEN BLAME FANNIE AND FREDDIE FOR BUYING SUBPRIME LOANS. THEN FIRE THE CEO's WITH GIANT SEVERENCE PACKAGES AND NATIONALIZE THE COMPANIES SO THE TAX PAYERS CAN PAY OFF ALL THE DEBT!!
ONLY IN AMERICA..A FINANCIAL CRISIS REQUIRES SWIFT ACTION BY CONGRESS TO PASS A BILL WITHOUT READING IT, THEN THEY GO ON VACATION FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT FINDS THE TIME TO SIGN IT.
ONLY IN AMERICA..YOU CAN BE LEGALLY ILLEGAL.
ONLY IN AMERICA..CAN CONGRESS MAKE LAWS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO, OR INTEND TO, FOLLOW.
ONLY IN AMERICA..THE VICE PRESIDENT DECLARES 'JOBS' A 3 LETTER WORD. ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN YOU GET A TAX REFUND FOR TAXES YOU DIDN'T PAY.
ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN POLITICIANS BLAME OTHERS FOR THEIR OWN FAILURES..
ONLY IN AMERICA..... YOU HAVE MORE RIGHTS BEING ILLEGAL, THAN YOU DO IF YOU'RE LEGAL
ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN YOU BE 13 AND HAVE AN ABORTION WITHOUT TELLING YOUR PARENTS, BUT YOU MUST HAVE A WRITTEN NOTE FROM YOUR PARENT EXPLAINING WHY YOU MISSED SCHOOL.
ONLY IN AMERICA..DO WE WORRY ABOUT 3 GUYS THAT GET WATER UP THEIR NOSES, WHILE THEIR ASSOCIATES ARE BEHEADING CAPTIVES AND BLOWING UP CROWDS OF PEOPLE WITH SUICIDE BOMBERS.
ONLY IN AMERICA..YOU CAN BE PRESIDENT WITHOUT HAVING A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
ONLY IN AMERICA..... WHATEVER GOES WRONG WILL ALWAYS BE PRESIDENT BUSH'S FAULT.
Monday, June, 22, 2009 4:10 PM
Ronna writes:
Only In America
ONLY IN AMERICA..WE SPEND BILLIONS BECAUSE WE CAN'T LET GM AND CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT, AND THEN, LET GM and CHRYSLER GO BANKRUPT.
ONLY IN AMERICA..CAN CONGRESS FORCE FANNIE AND FREDDIE TO BUY SUBPRIME LOANS, AND THEN BLAME FANNIE AND FREDDIE FOR BUYING SUBPRIME LOANS. THEN FIRE THE CEO's WITH GIANT SEVERENCE PACKAGES AND NATIONALIZE THE COMPANIES SO THE TAX PAYERS CAN PAY OFF ALL THE DEBT!!
ONLY IN AMERICA..A FINANCIAL CRISIS REQUIRES SWIFT ACTION BY CONGRESS TO PASS A BILL WITHOUT READING IT, THEN THEY GO ON VACATION FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THE PRESIDENT FINDS THE TIME TO SIGN IT.
ONLY IN AMERICA..YOU CAN BE LEGALLY ILLEGAL.
ONLY IN AMERICA..CAN CONGRESS MAKE LAWS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO, OR INTEND TO, FOLLOW.
ONLY IN AMERICA..THE VICE PRESIDENT DECLARES 'JOBS' A 3 LETTER WORD. ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN YOU GET A TAX REFUND FOR TAXES YOU DIDN'T PAY.
ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN POLITICIANS BLAME OTHERS FOR THEIR OWN FAILURES..
ONLY IN AMERICA..... YOU HAVE MORE RIGHTS BEING ILLEGAL, THAN YOU DO IF YOU'RE LEGAL
ONLY IN AMERICA.... CAN YOU BE 13 AND HAVE AN ABORTION WITHOUT TELLING YOUR PARENTS, BUT YOU MUST HAVE A WRITTEN NOTE FROM YOUR PARENT EXPLAINING WHY YOU MISSED SCHOOL.
ONLY IN AMERICA..DO WE WORRY ABOUT 3 GUYS THAT GET WATER UP THEIR NOSES, WHILE THEIR ASSOCIATES ARE BEHEADING CAPTIVES AND BLOWING UP CROWDS OF PEOPLE WITH SUICIDE BOMBERS.
ONLY IN AMERICA..YOU CAN BE PRESIDENT WITHOUT HAVING A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
ONLY IN AMERICA..... WHATEVER GOES WRONG WILL ALWAYS BE PRESIDENT BUSH'S FAULT.
ACORN By Any Other Name Is Still ACORN
ACORN International, which works in 12 countries across the world, has switched their name to "Community Organizations International."
Townhall.com Blog : Michele Bachmann : ACORN By Any Other Name Is Still ACORN
Townhall.com Blog : Michele Bachmann : ACORN By Any Other Name Is Still ACORN
Key events in Camp Lejeune's water contamination
Key events in Camp Lejeune's water contamination San Francisco Examiner
By: The Associated Press
Associated Press
06/20/09 5:20 PM PDT
Key events in the investigation of contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
_October 1980: Tests through March 1981 show water at the Hadnot Point treatment plant is "highly contaminated" with chlorinated hydrocarbons. A lab chemist urges further analysis. Officials do not test individual wells to find the contamination source.
_May and July 1982: Tests identify TCE and PCE as contaminants in water systems for Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace, which served housing, schools, other buildings and swimming pools at Camp Lejeune.
_July 1984: The base begins testing individual wells and by February 1985 shuts down 10 contaminated wells. One drinking water sample measured 1,400 parts per billion of TCE. The U.S. government eventually set 5 parts per billion as the maximum safe level for TCE at the tap.
_January 1985: A fuel spill closes a clean water system. Homes and a school are connected on an emergency basis to the Hadnot Point system for 12 days. They receive contaminated water.
_March through April 1985: A contaminated well that had been shut down is turned on to pump water to residents on four nights to ease a temporary water shortage.
_April 1985: The base commander, Maj. Gen. L.H. Buehl, urges families in Tarawa Terrace to conserve water. He says wells were closed as a precaution over "minute" amounts of organic chemicals. He does not mention that contamination exceeded maximum recommended exposure limits several times over.
_March 1987: The water treatment system for Tarawa Terrace is shut down and homes are connected to a new water treatment plant.
_October 1989: Camp Lejeune is added to the Superfund list of the nation's highly contaminated hazardous waste sites.
_August 1997: The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concludes that adults had little or no increased cancer risk from the past contaminated water, but raised concern about effects on developing fetuses. It recommended studies on the fetal effects.
_August 1998: The health agency finds a link between toxic water and low birth-weight babies born to some women at Camp Lejeune during the years of contamination. The study undercounts mothers who were exposed because it assumes a clean treatment plant provided water for four years before it was constructed.
_1999: The health agency begins searching for leukemia cases and birth defects among babies who were in utero at the base from 1968, when birth records first were computerized, until 1985, when contaminated wells were believed to have been shut down.
_2003: The health agency begins to study whether Camp Lejeune's contaminated water is linked to birth defects and elevated leukemia rates in its survey of 12,600 children.
_October 2004: An outside panel convened by the Marines determines that Camp Lejeune did not understand the significance of its water contamination early on and that Navy environmental advisers were "not aggressive" in assisting them. However, the panel concludes that Marine leadership acted responsibly and provided water quality consistent with general practices at the time.
_April 2005: Criminal investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency find no illegal actions or cover-up in Camp Lejeune's handling of its water contamination. The Justice Department declines to prosecute.
_June 2007: House Energy and Commerce Committee hears testimony from what it calls "poisoned patriots," families who blame their cancers on Camp Lejeune water.
_ October 2007: The Senate directs the military to find former Camp Lejeune residents and workers and notify them they may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water.
_June 2008: The federal health agency concludes it is feasible to do cancer and mortality studies of adults who were exposed to the tainted water. The agency is laying groundwork for the studies while completing its study of fetal health effects.
_April 28, 2009: The health agency withdraws its 1997 public health assessment, stating it contains omissions and inaccuracies.
___
Sources: Marine Corps chronology, Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Marine Corps documents.
By: The Associated Press
Associated Press
06/20/09 5:20 PM PDT
Key events in the investigation of contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
_October 1980: Tests through March 1981 show water at the Hadnot Point treatment plant is "highly contaminated" with chlorinated hydrocarbons. A lab chemist urges further analysis. Officials do not test individual wells to find the contamination source.
_May and July 1982: Tests identify TCE and PCE as contaminants in water systems for Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace, which served housing, schools, other buildings and swimming pools at Camp Lejeune.
_July 1984: The base begins testing individual wells and by February 1985 shuts down 10 contaminated wells. One drinking water sample measured 1,400 parts per billion of TCE. The U.S. government eventually set 5 parts per billion as the maximum safe level for TCE at the tap.
_January 1985: A fuel spill closes a clean water system. Homes and a school are connected on an emergency basis to the Hadnot Point system for 12 days. They receive contaminated water.
_March through April 1985: A contaminated well that had been shut down is turned on to pump water to residents on four nights to ease a temporary water shortage.
_April 1985: The base commander, Maj. Gen. L.H. Buehl, urges families in Tarawa Terrace to conserve water. He says wells were closed as a precaution over "minute" amounts of organic chemicals. He does not mention that contamination exceeded maximum recommended exposure limits several times over.
_March 1987: The water treatment system for Tarawa Terrace is shut down and homes are connected to a new water treatment plant.
_October 1989: Camp Lejeune is added to the Superfund list of the nation's highly contaminated hazardous waste sites.
_August 1997: The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concludes that adults had little or no increased cancer risk from the past contaminated water, but raised concern about effects on developing fetuses. It recommended studies on the fetal effects.
_August 1998: The health agency finds a link between toxic water and low birth-weight babies born to some women at Camp Lejeune during the years of contamination. The study undercounts mothers who were exposed because it assumes a clean treatment plant provided water for four years before it was constructed.
_1999: The health agency begins searching for leukemia cases and birth defects among babies who were in utero at the base from 1968, when birth records first were computerized, until 1985, when contaminated wells were believed to have been shut down.
_2003: The health agency begins to study whether Camp Lejeune's contaminated water is linked to birth defects and elevated leukemia rates in its survey of 12,600 children.
_October 2004: An outside panel convened by the Marines determines that Camp Lejeune did not understand the significance of its water contamination early on and that Navy environmental advisers were "not aggressive" in assisting them. However, the panel concludes that Marine leadership acted responsibly and provided water quality consistent with general practices at the time.
_April 2005: Criminal investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency find no illegal actions or cover-up in Camp Lejeune's handling of its water contamination. The Justice Department declines to prosecute.
_June 2007: House Energy and Commerce Committee hears testimony from what it calls "poisoned patriots," families who blame their cancers on Camp Lejeune water.
_ October 2007: The Senate directs the military to find former Camp Lejeune residents and workers and notify them they may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water.
_June 2008: The federal health agency concludes it is feasible to do cancer and mortality studies of adults who were exposed to the tainted water. The agency is laying groundwork for the studies while completing its study of fetal health effects.
_April 28, 2009: The health agency withdraws its 1997 public health assessment, stating it contains omissions and inaccuracies.
___
Sources: Marine Corps chronology, Environmental Protection Agency, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Marine Corps documents.
Jun 20, 2009
Lejeune water issue isn't over : Greensboro
Editorial: Lejeune water issue isn't over : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis
The recently released report on whether links exist between tainted drinking water at Camp Lejeune and health problems experienced by Marines and dependents living there years ago raises more questions than it answers.
According to National Research Council investigators, too much time has passed to draw accurate conclusions. Although the report didn't rule out a connection, it says spotty and incomplete data make it unlikely.
At issue is whether chemical solvents that infiltrated wells at the Jacksonville base caused sickness that showed up years later. At risk were schools, a hospital, barracks and dependent housing before the system closed 22 years ago.
More than 1,500 claims seeking $33.9 million already have been filed by ex-residents alleging a variety of health issues, including birth defects.
Further research, the report concludes, won't shed much more light and it suggested that the Department of the Navy proceed accordingly.
Yet that may not be the last word. Our state's U.S. senators, Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Kay Hagan, are unhappy with the results.
They want answers and should be able to get them. Both serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee while Burr is the ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Marines who honorably served their country, and their families, deserve closure. It's a cop-out to say all of this is just too complicated to decipher. The stakes are deceptively high, considering 1 million people may have been exposed to these toxic contaminants.
It's worth noting that relief through the courts is unlikely. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a lawsuit blaming tainted base water for an illness, saying the suspected solvents at the time weren't regulated as dangerous substances.
And the Department of Veterans Affairs has a record of denying medical benefits to Marines who believe drinking and bathing in the water made them sick.
So, a Senate hearing may be their best hope for relief. Burr and Hagan can and should make that happen.
The recently released report on whether links exist between tainted drinking water at Camp Lejeune and health problems experienced by Marines and dependents living there years ago raises more questions than it answers.
According to National Research Council investigators, too much time has passed to draw accurate conclusions. Although the report didn't rule out a connection, it says spotty and incomplete data make it unlikely.
At issue is whether chemical solvents that infiltrated wells at the Jacksonville base caused sickness that showed up years later. At risk were schools, a hospital, barracks and dependent housing before the system closed 22 years ago.
More than 1,500 claims seeking $33.9 million already have been filed by ex-residents alleging a variety of health issues, including birth defects.
Further research, the report concludes, won't shed much more light and it suggested that the Department of the Navy proceed accordingly.
Yet that may not be the last word. Our state's U.S. senators, Republican Richard Burr and Democrat Kay Hagan, are unhappy with the results.
They want answers and should be able to get them. Both serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee while Burr is the ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Marines who honorably served their country, and their families, deserve closure. It's a cop-out to say all of this is just too complicated to decipher. The stakes are deceptively high, considering 1 million people may have been exposed to these toxic contaminants.
It's worth noting that relief through the courts is unlikely. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a lawsuit blaming tainted base water for an illness, saying the suspected solvents at the time weren't regulated as dangerous substances.
And the Department of Veterans Affairs has a record of denying medical benefits to Marines who believe drinking and bathing in the water made them sick.
So, a Senate hearing may be their best hope for relief. Burr and Hagan can and should make that happen.
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