In the 1980s, the United States Marine Corps launched an investigation into potential contamination concerns at Camp Lejeune. They were officially notified that numerous wells on the base were polluted and unsuitable for human use. Despite this notification, the USMC failed to take any measures to protect its personnel and staff. Additionally, in 1983, the USMC presented a report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stating that Camp Lejeune had no contamination issues, despite evidence to the contrary.
In 1984, a subsequent inquiry revealed that the water wells at Camp Lejeune not only had significantly high levels of TCE and PCE but also contained benzene.
These tainted wells were subsequently shut down, and the state of North Carolina was informed about the TCE and PCE contamination, but the presence of benzene in the water supply was not disclosed. Furthermore, the USMC withheld this information in a federal health report in 1992.
By 2005, both the Justice Department and the EPA had launched comprehensive investigations into the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Since then, over 70 different chemical contaminants have been identified in the base's water supply.