Many cases of military cancer lawsuit have a connection to water contamination of PFAS chemicals. Veterans or military service members who work in military bases are at risk for chemical exposure. As a result, they could suffer severe health problems, such as cancer.
Learn more about this water contamination in military base cases and its relation to cancer by reading this article!
What is PFAS Chemical?
PFAS or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances are man-generated chemicals widely utilized since the 1940s. These chemicals are commonly used for various products, such as food packaging material, ski waxes, floor polishes, shampoos, denture cleaners, insecticide, paint, and oil-, water-, and stain-resistant products.
This chemical is also a primary material for Aquoes Film Form Foam (AFFF) or firefighting foam. The military, fire station, and airport have relied on the AFFF for a long time, whether for practicing or combating the actual fire.
However, PFAS material in the AFF might provide dangerous toxins for its users. Military personnel who use the substances might inhale harmful toxins or get toxic exposure through skin contact.
Moreover, if the personnel uses the AFFF to extinguish the fire, then, the substance might be an overflow and contaminate the water supply. As a result, personnel on the base are at risk of contaminated water, which leads to severe health problems.
Furthermore, the chemicals could pollute the nearby environment if the substances could enter the groundwater supply.
How FPAS Chemicals Lead to Cancer?
Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics (DCEG) found that two types of PFAS are carcinogens. In 2023, DCEG classified Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as a human carcinogen.
Those types of PFAS, in which exposure to the chemicals increases cancer possibility, are also found in the firefighting foam. Thus, it is inevitable that this finding links the contamination to cancer that provoked a military cancer lawsuit.
What Kind of Cancer Links to the Water Contamination at the Military Base?
The chemical contamination explained previously can trigger certain kinds of cancer, as follows.
1. Kidney Cancer
PFOA and PFOS can increase the risk of kidney cancer. The study found that overall PFAS exposure to kidney cancer has a relative risk of 1.18. Meanwhile, the high exposure to PFAS and kidney cancer has a relative risk of 1.74.
2. Testicular Cancer
Exposure to PFAS in fighting foam could elevate the risk of testicular cancer. The researcher found the increased level of PFAS correlates with some jobs, such as firefighter or personnel at a base with high levels of PFAS in the water supply.
Furthermore, they also found that the high levels of PFOS in the blood could elevate the potential of testicular cancer.
3. Breast Cancer
PFAS exposure could contribute to the development of breast cancer. The research found that PFOA has a risk of breast but not with PFOS. However, the study also observed that the presence of both PFOA and PFOS in aquatic environments could harm human health even at low exposure.
4. Liver Cancer
This type of cancer is associated with contaminated drinking water. In the early stage, the cancer might not show any symptoms. However, the symptoms will show up after the progress of cancer. The following list is the common symptoms of liver cancer:
- abdomen pain,
- swelling in the abdomen,
- pale stools,
- jaundice,
- nausea or vomiting,
- loss of appetite, and
- weight loss.
5. Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that occurs due to the malignant condition of the thyroids’ parenchymal cells. This cancer also correlates with PFAS chemicals. Additionally, the risk of thyroid could increase by up to 56% due to high exposure to PFAS.
If you suffer from adverse effects, specifically cancer as mentioned above, due to water contamination in military bases, you might be eligible to file a military cancer lawsuit.
List of Military Bases that Contaminated with FPAS Chemicals
According to the Environmental Working Group, there are more than 700 military bases that are contaminated with PFAS chemicals. Consequently, those areas potentially have adverse effects on humans and the environment. The list below shows several PFAS-contaminated military bases.
| No. | Installation | State |
| Maxwell-Gunter AFB | Alabama | |
| Little Rock AFB | Arkansas | |
| Travis AFB | California | |
| McConnell AFB | Kansas | |
| Fort Riley | Kansas | |
| Barksdale AFB | Louisiana | |
| England AFB | Louisiana | |
| Columbus AFB | Mississippi | |
| Meridian NAS | Mississippi | |
| Wright Patterson AFB | Ohio | |
| Youngstown ARS | Ohio | |
| New Boston AFS | New Hampshire | |
| Altus AFB | Oklahoma | |
| JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst | New Jersey | |
| NMC DET Earle | New Jersey | |
| Arnold AFB | Tennessee | |
| Memphis NAS (Millington) | Tennessee | |
| Laughlin AFB | Texas | |
| Sheppard AFB | Texas | |
| Dyess AFB | Texas | |
| Corpus Chisti NAS | Texas | |
| Chase Field NAS | Texas | |
| Fairchild AFB | Washington | |
| Hancock Field | New York | |
| DFSP Verona | New York | |
| Calverton NWIRP | New York | |
| Klamath Falls | Oregon | |
| Truax Field | Wisconsin | |
| Volk Field | Wisconsin | |
| Williams AFB | Arizona | |
| MCAS Yuma AZ | Arizona | |
| Myrtle Beach AFB | South Carolina | |
| MTC-H Camp Grayling | Michigan | |
| Homestead ARB | Florida | |
| NAS Whiting Field | Florida | |
| Brunswick NAS | Maine | |
| Cutler NCTAMS | Maine | |
| NMC DET Yorktown | Virginia | |
| NAS Oceana | Virginia | |
| Willow Grove NASJRB | Pennsylvania | |
| MCAS Cherry Point NC | North Carolina | |
| MCB Camp Lejeune NC | North Carolina | |
| Malmstrom AFB | Montana | |
| Dover AFB | Delaware | |
| Greater Peoria | Illinois |
Source: militaryhazards.org
Military Cancer Lawsuit Cases of Camp Lejeune
One of the notable water contamination lawsuits is Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. From 1953 to 1987, the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was exposed to contaminated water. The contamination is due to the leaking of underground fuel storage tanks that contain trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE).
As a result, the veterans and residents had severe health problems due to the water contamination. In Camp Lejeune Families Acts of 2012, the Veterans Affairs agreed to provide VA-disabled compensation to veterans, reservists, and National Guard members exposed to contaminated water.
However, they must have had active duty days for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987. Furthermore, they must qualify for these health conditions:
- breast cancer,
- kidney cancer,
- esophageal cancer,
- lung cancer
- bladder cancer,
- leukemia,
- renal toxicity,
- multiple myeloma,
- scleroderma,
- myelodysplastic syndromes,
- hepatic steatosis,
- Parkinson’s disease,
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
- female infertility, and
- miscarriage.
The president approved the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 into law in 2022. Therefore, people could take legal action for Camp Lejeune water contamination cases and seek better compensation.
As of August 2023, the Department of the Navy has reviewed more than 93,000 claims. Furthermore, the federal government also received more than 1,100 lawsuits.
Since the Camp Lejeune lawsuit began in 2022, the plaintiffs have two years to file the suit for their injuries. If you don’t submit the claim before the statute of limitations, you can’t get compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination. Talk this with your lawyer to file the claim on time.
The Current Update of Military Cancer Lawsuit Cases
As of 2023, the Department of Defense reported that over 700 military bases had water contamination by PFAS chemicals. Additionally, they added 58 more sites with confirmed PFAS-contaminated drinking water and groundwater. Meanwhile, they are still making efforts to clean several bases of contaminated water.
However, PFAS-related health issues in military service continue to strengthen. Consequently, many plaintiffs or victims of water contamination file claims against chemical manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours.
Contact a Proficient Personal Attorney to File a Military Cancer lawsuit!
PFAS chemicals could cause severe problems for human health and the environment. Unfortunately, veterans and military personnel who served active duty in military bases are at risk for water contamination. Consequently, they could get severe health problems, such as cancer.
If you or your family get cancer due to water contamination in military bases, you should file a military cancer lawsuit. Discuss these issues with your trusted lawyer. to get proper legal assistance in navigating your case and provide legal protection.
