Service members understand the risks associated with wearing the uniform. Physical demands, grueling training cycles, and deployments are part of the job. But for thousands stationed at certain U.S. military bases, another threat has followed them home—one they couldn’t see coming. Toxic chemicals in drinking water have caused serious health issues among soldiers and their families, and in many cases, the exposure went unnoticed for years.
Contaminated water on bases like Camp Lejeune and others across the country has been linked to a range of medical conditions, including cancer, liver disease, and neurological problems. Many of those affected were unaware they were drinking or bathing in unsafe water while living in government housing or attending routine training. The long-term consequences have disrupted lives, impacted military careers, and raised serious questions about accountability.
Toxic Exposure on U.S. Bases: A Hidden Crisis
Between the 1950s and 1980s, several U.S. military installations were found to have high levels of toxic chemicals in their water supplies. Among the most well-known is Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where service members and their families were exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. These substances are linked to serious health conditions that often develop gradually.
Camp Lejeune isn’t the only site of concern. Other bases, such as Fort Ord in California and Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire, have also been identified as locations where industrial solvents, fuel runoff, or firefighting foam residue compromised water sources. In many cases, this exposure persisted for decades before any public acknowledgment or remediation occurred.
The threat remained largely unnoticed. Focused on missions and physical readiness, most troops had no reason to question the safety of their water supply. Few were informed of potential risks, and fewer still were advised to seek testing or medical follow-up. As a result, thousands of soldiers and their families were exposed without warning during daily life on base.
The Health Consequences of Contaminated Water
The long-term effects of toxic water exposure can be devastating. Soldiers who lived or trained on affected bases have reported a wide range of medical issues, many of which are now supported by government and scientific research. These include cancers of the kidney, bladder, and liver, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, infertility, and congenital disabilities in children born to exposed parents.
At Camp Lejeune, for example, the drinking water contained high levels of industrial solvents. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website provides a detailed breakdown of the illnesses and risk factors connected to this exposure.
In many cases, the symptoms didn’t appear until years after discharge. Some veterans only received a diagnosis after a lengthy struggle with unexplained health problems. Others are still trying to connect the dots between their service history and serious medical conditions.
Why This Matters for Military Readiness
Physical preparedness is a cornerstone of service, but readiness is just as closely tied to long-term health. Fatigue, chronic pain, neurological complications, and internal organ damage—conditions linked to exposure—can undermine a soldier’s performance during training or in the field.
Some service members have reported lower stamina and slower recovery times without any clear cause, only to learn later they were exposed to harmful chemicals early in their careers. Others were separated from service for medical reasons without ever knowing what contributed to their decline in health.
Reliable readiness depends on clean environments and healthy bodies. When environmental hazards exist on base, they threaten both.
What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed
If you were stationed at a base known to have had water contamination, the first step is to confirm the details of your service location and time frame. Bases like Camp Lejeune and Fort Ord have been publicly listed in contamination reports, and records can help determine your potential exposure.
Document any ongoing or past health issues, especially if they align with known effects of toxic exposure. A medical evaluation by a provider familiar with military environmental health risks can help establish connections between your symptoms and your service.
Even those without current symptoms may benefit from early monitoring. Understanding your exposure history can help guide both your personal healthcare and any claims you may pursue through the Department of Veterans Affairs or other avenues.
Taking Action After Toxic Exposure
For many service members and veterans, connecting the dots between exposure and illness is only part of the battle. To receive medical care, file disability claims, or access compensation, they typically must prove that a service-related incident occurred and that it caused lasting harm.
Legal resources are available to assist those affected. Some law firms focus on military contamination cases and can help build a case using service records, medical documentation, and current legislation. If you or a family member developed serious health conditions after living or working on a contaminated base, it may be worth seeking legal help for water contamination victims.
These efforts are about more than compensation. They also serve to hold systems accountable and to support others who may still be unaware of the risks they faced.
Final Thoughts: Protecting Those Who Serve
Strong institutions depend on trust. That trust is eroded when the places where soldiers live and train are later found to be hazardous. A commitment to readiness must also include safe infrastructure, transparent communication, and long-term care for those who serve.
For those affected by toxic exposure, taking steps to understand their risk, seek care, and explore available resources is a matter of personal health and dignity.
Rebuilding strength after adversity often draws on the same principles that define effective service: discipline, accountability, and physical and mental readiness.
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.