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U.S. NEWS Thursday 1 February 2024

Camp Lejeune water contamination tied to a range of cancers,

CDC study says

By MIKE STOBBE peatedly said that federal
AP Medical Writer environmental regulations
NEW YORK (AP) — Mili- for these cancer-causing
tary personnel stationed chemicals were not final-
at Camp Lejeune from ized until 1989, after the
1975 to 1985 had at least wells were shut down.
a 20% higher risk for a num- People who got sick after
ber of cancers than those being at Camp Lejeune
stationed elsewhere, fed- also have criticized the
eral health officials said federal government for be-
Wednesday in a long- ing slow to investigate.
awaited study about the The Agency for Toxic Sub-
North Carolina base’s con- stances and Disease Reg-
taminated drinking water. istry, or ATSDR, an Atlanta-
Federal health officials based sister agency to the
called the research one Centers for Disease Control
the largest ever done in and Prevention, has done
the United States to assess about a half-dozen studies
cancer risk by comparing a focused on health prob-
group who live and worked lems in people at Camp
in a polluted environment Lejeune. Those studies were
to a similar group that did smaller than the new one,
not. and had varied focuses,
The study found military including male breast can-
personnel stationed at U.S. cer rates and birth defects
Marine Corps Base Camp in children born to base
Lejeune were at higher risk In a Feb. 27, 2013 file photo, a sign cautions visitors outside a “pump and treat” facility on the personnel. The earlier stud-
for some types of leukemia Marine base at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Associated Press ies pointed out health risks,
and lymphoma and can- but the new work “more
cers of the lung, breast, Lejeune-related litigation. Camp Lejeune was built in Before wells were shut fully establishes the scope,”
throat, esophagus and thy- “This is not something we’re a sandy pine forest along down, contaminated wa- said Richard Clapp, a Bos-
roid. Civilians who worked going to be able to resolve the North Carolina coast in ter was piped to barracks, ton University emeritus pub-
at the base also were at a definitively,” he said. “We the early 1940s. Its drinking offices, housing for enlisted lic health professor who
higher risk for a shorter list of are talking about expo- water was contaminated families, schools and the has been involved in past
cancers. The study is “quite sures that happened (de- with industrial solvents from base’s hospital. Military per- Camp Lejeune research.
impressive,” but cannot cades ago) that were not the early 1950s to 1985. The sonnel and families drank it, Dr. Aaron Bernstein, the
count as final proof that well documented.” contamination detect- cooked with it and bathed head of the ATSDR and
the tainted drinking water But he said the new re- ed in the early 1980s was in it. The contamination has CDC’s environmental
caused the cancers, said search will add weight to blamed on a poorly main- spawned lawsuits and ac- health programs, called
David Savitz, a Brown Uni- arguments made on be- tained fuel depot and in- cusations that the Marine the new study “remark-
versity disease researcher half of people who got sick discriminate dumping on Corps failed to protect the able” for being bigger and
who is consulting for plain- after living and working at the base, as well as from an health of its personnel. Ma- more rigorous than past
tiffs’ attorneys in Camp the base. off-base dry cleaner. rine Corps officials have re- research.q

Laser strikes against aircraft including airline planes have surged

to a new record, the FAA says

WASHINGTON (AP) — La- istrator Mike Whitaker said inexpensive lasers in stores
ser strikes aimed at aircraft in a video posted by the and online, stronger de-
including airline planes agency. The FAA said pilots vices that can hit planes at
surged 41% last year to a have reported 313 injuries higher altitudes, and the in-
record high, according to since the agency started creased awareness among
federal officials. keeping records in 2010. pilots to report incidents.
The Federal Aviation Ad- Each of the last five months The FAA said it can fine vio-
ministration said Wednes- of 2023 surpassed the pre- lators $11,000 for each vio-
day that it received 13,304 vious high month, Novem- lation, up to $30,800, and
reports from pilots about la- ber 2021. The full-year rise federal, state and local
ser strikes last year, erasing over 2022 numbers easily law enforcement agencies
a record set in 2021. topped the 28% increase can file criminal charges.
“Aiming a laser at an air- in reported incidents from Laser strikes at aircraft are
craft is a serious safety 2016 to 2022. most common during in
hazard that puts everyone Authorities blame the surge the first few hours after mid- A Skywest Airlines aircraft is guided on the tarmac at Barkley
on the plane and on the in attacks on factors includ- night, according to FAA Regional Airport in Paducah, Ky., Dec. 27, 2017.
ground at risk,” FAA Admin- ing the widespread sale of data.q Associated Press