Lejeune confronts chemical exposure
By: Meghan Cooke, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: State & National
When retired Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger's daughter Janey was diagnosed with leukemia in 1983, he wanted answers.
"Any parent who ever had a child diagnosed with a catastrophic illness begins to wonder why," he said. "It was a mystery. I went to researchers, and nobody could answer that nagging question."
It wasn't until 1997 - 12 years after Janey's death - that he found a possible answer.
Between 1957 and 1987, as many as one million people living and working at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were exposed to dangerous chemicals through the base's water wells. The contamination was discovered in 1980, and the last of the tainted wells were closed in 1987.
The U.S. Senate approved a measure last week to require that military officials notify all Marines, their families and civilian employees who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during the 30-year period of chemical exposure. Outreach efforts would include a voluntary health survey and a national media campaign.
Ensminger, of White Lake, learned of the contamination in 1997. While making dinner, he heard an evening news reporter say that a public health assessment issued from Camp Lejeune had found chemicals in the water that were linked to childhood illnesses, including leukemia.
"I dropped my plate right there on the living room floor," he said.
Prompted by the death of 9-year-old Janey, Ensminger began a crusade for truth and resolution. He created a Web site, www.tftptf.com, titled "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten," with government documents and legislative updates.
In June, he testified before Congress along with former Navy doctor Michael Gros, of Spring, Texas, who worked as an obstetrician and gynecologist at Camp Lejeune between 1980 and 1983.
Gros learned of the water contamination in 1999, when he was contacted for a study about children born at Camp Lejeune. "I learned in passing, oh by the way, that I had been exposed along with my whole family," he said.
"Any parent who ever had a child diagnosed with a catastrophic illness begins to wonder why," he said. "It was a mystery. I went to researchers, and nobody could answer that nagging question."
It wasn't until 1997 - 12 years after Janey's death - that he found a possible answer.
Between 1957 and 1987, as many as one million people living and working at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were exposed to dangerous chemicals through the base's water wells. The contamination was discovered in 1980, and the last of the tainted wells were closed in 1987.
The U.S. Senate approved a measure last week to require that military officials notify all Marines, their families and civilian employees who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during the 30-year period of chemical exposure. Outreach efforts would include a voluntary health survey and a national media campaign.
Ensminger, of White Lake, learned of the contamination in 1997. While making dinner, he heard an evening news reporter say that a public health assessment issued from Camp Lejeune had found chemicals in the water that were linked to childhood illnesses, including leukemia.
"I dropped my plate right there on the living room floor," he said.
Prompted by the death of 9-year-old Janey, Ensminger began a crusade for truth and resolution. He created a Web site, www.tftptf.com, titled "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten," with government documents and legislative updates.
In June, he testified before Congress along with former Navy doctor Michael Gros, of Spring, Texas, who worked as an obstetrician and gynecologist at Camp Lejeune between 1980 and 1983.
Gros learned of the water contamination in 1999, when he was contacted for a study about children born at Camp Lejeune. "I learned in passing, oh by the way, that I had been exposed along with my whole family," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Marie
posted 10/01/07 @ 10:32 AM EST
I find it ironic that the USMC supposedly engaged in a "national media outreach campaign" back when they wanted to do the original ATSDR study, but they cannot produce the results of that campaign. (Continued…)
Andrea
posted 10/12/07 @ 6:34 PM EST
I couldn't agree with Marie and Jerry more. My family was also affected by the water contamination. It truly is a shame that in the United States of America that things of this nature occur. (Continued…)
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