Fort Lewis Logistics Center
Location
Lakewood, WA
Lakewood, WA
Known Toxins30
Base Background
Fort Lewis (now part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord or JBLM) was established in 1917 in Pierce County near Tacoma, Washington. It merged with McChord Air Force Base in 2010. Both bases have multiple contaminated areas and are on EPA’s National Priorities List (superfund) – McChord since 1984 and Fort Lewis since 1989.
Toxic Exposure at Fort Lewis
JBLM has significant water contamination problems, primarily from PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances or “forever chemicals”) and other toxic substances including TCE and VOCs.
Contamination Sources
- Firefighting foam (AFFF) used in training exercises since the 1980s
- Fort Lewis Logistics Center’s equipment repair operations
- East Gate Disposal Yard waste disposal
- Multiple landfills, including one near the base’s main water supply
When Was PFAS Discovered?
- In 2018-2019, Pentagon identified JBLM as one of 90+ contaminated military bases
- In 2021, Environmental Working Group found PFOA levels 456 times above Health Guidelines
- Between 2023 and 2024, multiple PFAS were detected in drinking water
PFAS are linked to serious medical conditions, including cancers, neurological disorders and kidney and liver problems. If you developed related health issues after living or working at the base, you may be eligible for compensation. Get a free case evaluation here to explore your legal options.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the medical conditions associated with toxic exposure at this base, classified by the strength of evidence required (strong, good or limited).* Please keep in mind that it is not a complete list.
Search the table for a specific disease :
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
Acute tubular necrosis
Adult-Onset Leukemias
Alopecia
Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty)
Alzheimer's
Anemia hemolytic
Aplastic anemia
Arrhythmias
Asbestosis
Asthma allergic
Asthma irritant
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Behavioral problems
Bladder cancer
Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma
Brain cancer adult
Breast cancer
Bronchitis acute
Bronchitis chronic
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Carcinoid
Cardiac congenital malformations
Cardiomyopathy
Cervical cancer
Childhood Leukemias
Choanal atresia
Cholestasis
Chronic renal disease
Cirrhosis
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Color vision disturbance
Colorectal cancer
Congenital malformation Cranio Facial
Congenital malformations general
Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation
Delayed growth
Developmental Delay
Diabetes Type II
Early onset menopause
Erectile dysfunction
Esophageal cancer
Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias)
Glomerulonephritis
Gout
Hearing loss
Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer)
Hepatoportal Sclerosis
Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma)
Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens)
Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation
Hypertension
Hypoactivity
Immune suppression
Itaiitai disease
Laryngeal cancer
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Lung cancer
Lymphoma non Hodgkin's
Melanoma
Menstrual disorders
Mesothelioma
Metal fume fever
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Myocardial ischemia
Nasal polyps
Nasal septal perforation
Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer
Nephrotic syndrome
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Oral cancer
Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate)
Osteoporosis
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders
Peripheral neuropathy
Photosensitivity
Pleural disease (effusions,plaques,thickening)
Pneumoconiosis
Pneumonia
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity
Porphyria toxic
Preterm delivery
Prostate cancer
Psychiatric disturbances
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Raynaud's phenomenon
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)
Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility)
Renal (kidney) cancer
Renal stones
Rhinitis irritant
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma
Scrotal cancer
Seizures
Skeletal malformations
Skin cancer (nonmelanoma)
Skin ulceration
Soft tissue sarcoma
Steatosis (fatty liver)
Stomach cancer
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Testicular cancer
Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism
Trigeminal neuropathy
Uterine cancer
Wilm's Tumor
| Toxin | Potential Effects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| 1,3-dinitrobenzene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Arsenic | Potential Effects | Peripheral neuropathy Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation... Diabetes Type II Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis |
Steatosis (fatty liver) Skeletal malformations... Renal (kidney) cancer Raynaud's phenomenon Pneumonitis hypersensitivity Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Nasal septal perforation Myocardial ischemia Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Hypertension Hepatoportal Sclerosis Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Congenital malformations general Cirrhosis Cardiomyopathy Bladder cancer Arrhythmias Anemia hemolytic Alopecia Adult-Onset Leukemias |
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Myelodysplastic syndrome... Metal fume fever Immune suppression Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias) Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Acute tubular necrosis |
| Asbestos | Potential Effects | Pulmonary fibrosis Pneumoconiosis... Pleural disease (effusions,plaques,thickening) Asbestosis |
Stomach cancer Renal (kidney) cancer... Immune suppression Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA |
Ovarian cancer Myelodysplastic syndrome... Multiple myeloma Melanoma Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Laryngeal cancer Colorectal cancer Bladder cancer Adult-Onset Leukemias |
| Barium | Potential Effects | - | - | Sarcoidosis Arrhythmias |
| Benzene | Potential Effects | Myelodysplastic syndrome Multiple myeloma... Aplastic anemia |
Scleroderma Renal (kidney) cancer... Preterm delivery Menstrual disorders Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias |
Peripheral neuropathy Neural tube defects/CNS malformations... Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer Lung cancer Immune suppression Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Cardiac congenital malformations Breast cancer Brain cancer adult Asthma irritant |
| Benzo A Pyrene | Potential Effects | Lung cancer |
Skin cancer (nonmelanoma) Lung cancer... Immune suppression Bladder cancer |
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) |
| Cadmium | Potential Effects | Renal stones Osteoporosis... Itaiitai disease Chronic renal disease Acute tubular necrosis |
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) Prostate cancer... Pneumonia Nephrotic syndrome COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Cardiomyopathy Anemia hemolytic |
Testicular cancer Soft tissue sarcoma... Renal (kidney) cancer Pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary edema Peripheral neuropathy Pancreatic cancer Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Metal fume fever Menstrual disorders Immune suppression Hypoactivity Hypertension Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias) Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation Congenital malformation Cranio Facial Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Brain cancer adult Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Potential Effects | Steatosis (fatty liver) Cirrhosis... Acute tubular necrosis Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
Scleroderma Porphyria toxic... Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Childhood Leukemias Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias Aplastic anemia Adult-Onset Leukemias |
Renal (kidney) cancer Pancreatitis... Pancreatic cancer Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate) Nephrotic syndrome Melanoma Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Brain cancer adult |
| Chlorobenzene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Chloroethene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Chromium | Potential Effects | Skin ulceration Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders... Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer Nasal septal perforation Nasal polyps Cholestasis Bronchitis acute Asthma allergic |
Stomach cancer Pulmonary fibrosis... Psychiatric disturbances Pneumonitis hypersensitivity Pneumonia Photosensitivity Peripheral neuropathy Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic renal disease Bronchitis acute Brain cancer adult ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Acute tubular necrosis |
Soft tissue sarcoma Skeletal malformations... Renal (kidney) cancer Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) Prostate cancer Peripheral neuropathy Pancreatic cancer Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Metal fume fever Immune suppression Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Esophageal cancer Erectile dysfunction Delayed growth COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Bladder cancer Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias Adult-Onset Leukemias Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) |
| Chrysene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Dibenzo (A,H) anthracene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Dichloroethene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Dichloroethene (DCE) | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Ethylbenzene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Heavy metals (misc.) | Potential Effects | Pneumonitis hypersensitivity |
- | Multiple myeloma Chronic renal disease |
| Lead | Potential Effects | Seizures Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)... Peripheral neuropathy Hypertension Gout Developmental Delay Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Chronic renal disease Behavioral problems Anemia hemolytic ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) |
Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility) Psychiatric disturbances... Preterm delivery Porphyria toxic Pancreatic cancer Nephrotic syndrome Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression Hearing loss Glomerulonephritis Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Delayed growth Cardiomyopathy Arrhythmias Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty) |
Wilm's Tumor Uterine cancer... Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism Stomach cancer Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) Osteoporosis Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Lung cancer Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Erectile dysfunction Diabetes Type II Congenital malformation Cranio Facial Colorectal cancer Carcinoid Breast cancer Brain cancer adult Bladder cancer Alzheimer's Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty) ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) |
| Manganese | Potential Effects | Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders Cholestasis |
Psychiatric disturbances Pneumonitis hypersensitivity... Pneumonia Peripheral neuropathy Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium Bronchitis acute ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity |
Skeletal malformations Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)... Peripheral neuropathy Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Metal fume fever Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Erectile dysfunction Delayed growth COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Arrhythmias |
| Mercury | Potential Effects | Peripheral neuropathy Hearing loss... Behavioral problems Acute tubular necrosis |
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression... Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens) Glomerulonephritis Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Congenital malformations general Chronic renal disease Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Aplastic anemia Anemia hemolytic |
Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism Scleroderma... Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility) Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Nephrotic syndrome Myocardial ischemia Menstrual disorders Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis |
| Nickel | Potential Effects | Asthma allergic |
Stomach cancer Pulmonary fibrosis... Pulmonary edema Nasal septal perforation Laryngeal cancer Immune suppression |
Soft tissue sarcoma Renal (kidney) cancer... Prostate cancer Myocardial ischemia Myelodysplastic syndrome Metal fume fever Mesothelioma Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Arrhythmias |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) | Potential Effects | Scrotal cancer Porphyria toxic... Laryngeal cancer |
Skin cancer (nonmelanoma) Renal (kidney) cancer... Prostate cancer Photosensitivity Pancreatic cancer Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer Lung cancer Immune suppression Esophageal cancer Breast cancer Bladder cancer |
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) Oral cancer... Melanoma Early onset menopause Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis Colorectal cancer Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma Adult-Onset Leukemias |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Potential Effects | - | Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility) Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)... Pulmonary edema Menstrual disorders Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Esophageal cancer Arrhythmias |
Scleroderma Renal (kidney) cancer... Raynaud's phenomenon Peripheral neuropathy Pancreatic cancer Lung cancer Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Congenital malformation Cranio Facial Color vision disturbance Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Cervical cancer Breast cancer Bladder cancer Adult-Onset Leukemias Acute tubular necrosis |
| Thallium | Potential Effects | Peripheral neuropathy |
Alopecia |
Psychiatric disturbances Menstrual disorders |
| Toluene (BTEX compounds) | Potential Effects | Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome Congenital malformation Cranio Facial |
Steatosis (fatty liver) Scleroderma... Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility) Menstrual disorders Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Developmental Delay Delayed growth Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias Acute tubular necrosis Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
Stomach cancer Peripheral neuropathy... Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Multiple myeloma Immune suppression Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias) Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium Colorectal cancer Color vision disturbance Cirrhosis Brain cancer adult Asthma irritant Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | Potential Effects | Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
Scleroderma Renal (kidney) cancer... Psychiatric disturbances Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium Cirrhosis Childhood Leukemias Cardiac congenital malformations Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias |
Trigeminal neuropathy Testicular cancer... Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Raynaud's phenomenon Prostate cancer Peripheral neuropathy Pancreatitis Pancreatic cancer Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Nephrotic syndrome Multiple myeloma Lung cancer Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma) Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias) Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Choanal atresia Cervical cancer Brain cancer adult Adult-Onset Leukemias ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Acute tubular necrosis |
| Vanadium | Potential Effects | COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Bronchitis chronic... Asthma allergic |
Acute tubular necrosis |
Reduced Fertility Female (infertility and subfertility) Pneumonia... Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Bronchitis acute |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | Potential Effects | Rhinitis irritant |
- | - |
| Xylene | Potential Effects | - | Scleroderma Menstrual disorders... Arrhythmias |
Stomach cancer Peripheral neuropathy... Delayed growth Colorectal cancer Brain cancer adult Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
| Zinc | Potential Effects | Skin ulceration |
- | Testicular cancer |
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*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
Fort Lewis VA Claims and Lawsuits
You may be entitled to compensation if you were stationed or worked at Fort Lewis (JBLM) and developed health conditions associated with exposure to dangerous chemicals. Requirements include:
- Proof of diagnosis related to contaminated water
- Evidence of exposure at the military base
To win your case, you may need assistance gathering and interpreting complex medical and scientific evidence, addressing denials and ensuring all deadlines are met for VA claims or lawsuits. An experienced VA disability lawyer can fight on your behalf and maximize compensation.
Contact our Seattle VA attorneys for a free evaluation of your claim. We work on a contingency basis, with no upfront fees.