I’ll help you create a blog post about Tarawa Terrace Camp Lejeune. I’ll first do a web search to gather accurate information. Based on the search results, I’ll craft the blog post about Tarawa Terrace Camp Lejeune:
The story of Tarawa Terrace at Camp Lejeune is a haunting narrative of environmental contamination that impacted thousands of military families for decades. Located within the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, this residential area became ground zero for one of the most significant water contamination incidents in U.S. military history. From November 1957 through February 1987, residents of Tarawa Terrace were unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals that would have devastating long-term health consequences.
The Source of Contamination
The primary contamination source for Tarawa Terrace was an unexpected culprit: ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a local dry-cleaning business located approximately two miles southeast of the base. The facility, owned by Victor John Melts and operating since 1953, was responsible for introducing tetrachloroethylene (PCE) into the groundwater system.
The contamination occurred through highly irresponsible waste disposal practices. According to court depositions, the dry-cleaning business:
- Used two to three 55-gallon drums of cleaning solvent monthly
- Generated approximately three gallons of waste daily
- Disposed of contaminated water by filling potholes
- Poured remaining contaminated water into storm drains
Water Treatment and Contamination Details
The Tarawa Terrace Water Treatment Plant, which began operations in 1952 and was shut down in March 1987, served family housing units and the Knox trailer park. Environmental investigations revealed that the drinking water consistently exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) maximum contaminant level for PCE.
Specifically, the EPA's maximum acceptable level for PCE is five parts per billion (ppb). Even at very low concentrations, PCE is known to be toxic to humans, posing significant health risks to those exposed.
Health Implications
The exposure to PCE-contaminated water has been linked to numerous serious health conditions, including:
- Kidney cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemias
- Adverse birth outcomes
It is estimated that nearly one million veterans and civilians were potentially exposed to these contaminated water supplies during the affected period.
Cleanup and Recognition
The EPA placed Camp Lejeune on the National Priorities List on October 4, 1989. The U.S. Navy led cleanup efforts, which included:
- Removing contaminated soils
- Disposing of toxic waste materials
- Installing groundwater and soil treatment systems
In a significant legal development, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act passed in 2022 as part of the Honoring our PACT Act, finally allowing victims to file civil lawsuits for the harm they suffered.
🚨 Note: While the drinking water at Camp Lejeune is safe today, the damage to thousands of families cannot be undone.
When did the Tarawa Terrace contamination occur?
+
The contamination occurred from November 1957 through February 1987, affecting the Tarawa Terrace Water Treatment Plant.
What chemical contaminated the water?
+
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a dry-cleaning solvent, was the primary contaminant in the Tarawa Terrace water system.
How many people were potentially affected?
+
Nearly one million veterans and civilians were potentially exposed to the contaminated water supplies.
