Marines exposed to pollution

In December, the VA issued a press release which was a notification of a serious medical threat to personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987.

From 1953 to 1987 water sources at Marine Camp Lejeune were polluted with and exposed Marines and dependents to hazardous chemicals from leaking storage tanks. These include deadly chemicals which can cause various cancers, Parkinson 's disease and other diseases. The chemicals include perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, benzene and other petroleum contaminants. Anyone who was stationed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987, is already eligible to receive VA healthcare for up to 15 health conditions.

Among the diseases caused by these chemicals are kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, Parkinson's disease and aplastic anemia/myelodysplastic syndromes. This is not a complete list. More information, including a full list of covered conditions, can be found online at publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp.

Dependents who were living in base housing during the covered time period are also covered. More information on coverage for dependents can be found at clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov.

Understand that the coverage details are still being written, but if you are in an eligible group the VA encourages you to file a claim now.

According to the VA news release, "Veterans can establish eligibility for healthcare benefits" by submitting VA Form 10-10EZ online at 1010ez.med.va.gov, downloading it atva.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/1010EZ-fillable.pdf and returning it to any VA Medical Center or clinic, or by calling 1-877-222-8387 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tthe VA is compiling a list of diseases which are considered "presumptive". If a disease is determined to be presumptive then the only proof the individual needs is proof they were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time period covered. Every eligible Marine veteran should notify their dependents who were stationed at Camp Lejeune that they are at a serious medical risk.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He lives in Chaffee, Missouri.