For over three decades, toxic chemicals seeped into some drinking water atMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune。根据一些估计，这种污染可能影响了多达100万人。化学物质可能会导致洗衣服疾病清单。
One of the contaminants, benzene, is commonly used in a wide variety of industrial applications. Benzene exposure can have lasting health ramifications. At Camp Lejeune,Marine veterans他们的家人和平民可能已经摄入了苯。这使他们有患有严重疾病（包括癌症）的风险。
It can be overwhelming to process the many health effects of a dangerous chemical like benzene. Readers can find a list of the three main health problems caused by benzene below. This list may help people understand what to watch for in individuals who drank the contaminated water.
Top Three Health Problems Caused by Benzene
Benzene can cause short-term and long-term health issues. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has labeled it as a carcinogen. In studies, people regularly exposed to benzene have higher than average rates of leukemia. Benzene can damage bone marrow, harm reproductive organs and increase a person’s cancer risk.
1：骨髓损伤
Long-term exposure to benzene can damage bone marrow (the soft tissue inside bones). New blood cells are made in this marrow tissue. When benzene damages bone marrow, a person may develop several blood cell conditions.
- 贫血：This condition happens when a person’s red blood cell (RBC) count is too low. RBCs carry oxygen to tissues throughout a person’s body. When benzene exposure causes anemia, a person may feel tired and weak.
- Low platelets:血小板帮助形成血凝块,减缓或停止bleeding. When benzene exposure makes platelet levels drop, a person may bleed or bruise easily.
- Low white blood cells:白细胞（WBC）帮助人们抗击感染和疾病。如果苯导致WBC水平下降，则可能会经常感染。这可能包括膀胱感染，肺部感染，窦感染和皮肤感染。低WBC水平可能会威胁生命。
2: Reproductive Organ Problems
长时间接触苯也可能会损害生殖器官。例如，在苯呼吸的妇女的时期和卵巢较小。没有证据表明男人不孕。
In pregnant animals, benzene exposure has caused low birth weight, delayed bone formation and bone marrow damage.
3: Increased Cancer Risk
Research has found a link between benzene exposure and cancer in people and animals. The strongest evidence along these lines shows an increased risk of blood cancers, like leukemia.
在对工作中暴露于苯的人的研究中，急性髓样白血病的发生率高于平均水平。其他研究发现与儿童白血病有联系，但证据不那么强。
Help for Camp Lejeune Victims
Water contamination at Camp Lejeune put millions of people at risk for debilitating diseases. And benzene is just one of the harmful chemicals that were found on base. The true impact on the victims may not be known for many years. In the meantime, many are already dealing with cancer diagnoses and treatments. In response, government officials have acted to support the veterans, their families and other victims.
In August of 2022, President Biden signed theCamp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022，这使受害者能够起诉政府收回受污染的水造成的损害。符合该条件的符合标准的任何受污染水影响的人都可以提出索赔。Camp Lejeune claims可以帮助支付由毒素引起的医疗费用。
