TCE (Trichloroethylene) is a colorless, volatile organic compound that has been used as a solvent for cleaning and degreasing metal parts, as well as in the production of other chemicals. TCE exposure has been associated with various health effects, including neurological and immune system effects, kidney damage, and certain types of cancer.
Military veterans may be at an increased risk of TCE exposure because of their past work with military equipment and machinery that were cleaned or degreased with TCE. Veterans who worked in jobs such as aviation mechanics, tank cleaners, and metalworkers may have been exposed to TCE, especially if proper safety precautions were not taken.
TCE has been detected at several military installations and former industrial sites, such as Camp Lejeune and the former McClellan Air Force Base, where TCE contamination in groundwater and soil has been linked to health problems among veterans and their families.
In response to concerns about TCE and other environmental contaminants, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a range of benefits and services for eligible veterans, including health care, disability compensation, and vocational rehabilitation. The VA also has established programs to address environmental hazards at military installations and to monitor the health of veterans who may have been exposed to TCE and other environmental contaminants.
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