Sources

Source documents about the discovery and mismanagement of water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

Copies of original documents from the U.S. Government and their respective contractors.

BUMED – August 1963

Department of the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) issued Navmed P-5010-5,

Manual for Naval Preventive Medicine. Chapter 5 of this manual is dedicated to Water Supply Ashore for the Navy.

The importance of this document is that it is the reference material from which the Navy’s own internal potable water standards are derived. BUMED Instruction 6240.3B and version 3C specifically reference the reader to this manual for guidance.

USAEHA Test – October 30, 1980

The U.S. Army lab (USAEHA) from Fort McPherson conducted water testing for TTHMs on samples taken from the Hadnot Point water distribution system. USAEHA Army Laboratory Service Chief, William Neal, warned Navy officials with a hand written caption on the bottom of the lab results: “Water is highly contaminated with low molecular weight halogenated hydrocarbons. Strong interference in the region of ChCl2BR. Cannot determine the value of that compound.” No action was taken in regard to this warning.

USAEHA Test – March 9, 1981

USAEHA Army Laboratory Services Chief, William Neal, again warned Camp Lejeune Marine Corps that there was a problem with the Hadnot Point TTHM samples. He writes on the report: “Water is highly contaminated with other chlorinated hydrocarbons (solvents)!”

Action Brief – March 1, 1985

Action Brief concerning alternatives for providing water to Tarawa Terrace area. Because of the closure of wells TT-26 and TT-23, base officials realized that there will be an estimated shortage of 300,000 gallons per day of water at Tarawa Terrace beginning immediately and lasting through out the summer months. A list of 7 alternatives was proposed by Facilities Assistant Chief of Staff, Col. Lilley.

Department of the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) issued Navmed P-5010-5, Manual for Naval Preventive Medicine. Chapter 5 of this manual is dedicated to Water Supply Ashore for the Navy. The importance of this document is that it is the reference material from which the Navy’s own internal potable water standards are derived. BUMED Instruction 6240.3B and version 3C specifically reference the reader to this manual for guidance.

Mike Partain’s 2010 Testimony

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with male breast cancer at the age of thirty nine. In fact, I am one of about sixty four men who share this unique commonality of male breast cancer and exposure to contaminated tap water aboard Camp Lejeune. There is no history of the disease in my family and I tested negative for the hereditary breast cancer markers BRCA 1 and 2. I do not drink nor do I smoke.