In January, a long-overdue Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule was set to take effect, banning two toxic chemicals—trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE)—that have been linked to Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and other devastating health conditions. These chemicals, widely used as industrial degreasers, have contaminated groundwater at multiple military bases, including the infamous Camp Lejeune. They have poisoned the very people who pledged their lives in service to our country.
But now, that ban is in jeopardy. Certain legislators, under pressure from manufacturing industry lobbyists, are trying to repeal it. If they succeed, they will be choosing corporate interests over the health and lives of our service members, veterans, and their families.
We cannot let this happen.
TCE and PCE have been used for decades on military bases worldwide, exposing countless service members to these dangerous toxins. The link between TCE exposure and Parkinson’s disease is well documented, with research led by experts like Dr. Ray Dorsey highlighting its devastating effects. Many veterans, including those who served at Camp Lejeune, have suffered severe neurological and autoimmune disorders as a direct result of exposure.
The impact of this crisis is personal. Three former U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets—all of whom proudly served their country—are now fighting a different battle: Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD). I am one of them.
- Sara Whittingham, (me) USAFA graduate, physician, 20 years of military service, diagnosed with YOPD at age 46
- Jana Reed, USAFA graduate, physician, 20 years of military service, diagnosed at age 47, including deployments to Afghanistan, was diagnosed within a month of her fellow USAFA track teammate Sara Whittingham.
- Erika Neitzke, an engineer, USAFA graduate, 10 years of military service, diagnosed with PD at age 40.
All three of us are mothers. Separately, we have all discouraged our children from military service out of fear of toxic exposure. If we do not prioritize the health of our troops, the consequences will be dire. Recruitment and retention will suffer, and fewer parents will encourage their children to follow in their footsteps.
This is not a partisan issue—it is a moral one. We owe our service members more than a uniform and a pension. We owe them protection from known toxins, from preventable diseases, from suffering that could have been avoided. Congress must uphold the EPA’s ban on TCE and PCE.
The Need for Policy Change
Current VA policy fails to reflect the scientific evidence linking toxic exposures to Parkinson’s disease, leaving thousands of young veterans without the benefits they deserve. Under existing rules, veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than a year after leaving service are often denied disability compensation, despite research showing that toxic exposure-related neurodegenerative diseases can take years, even decades, to develop. This outdated policy ignores the reality that chemicals like TCE and PCE—widely used on military bases—have been directly linked to Parkinson’s, disproportionately affecting Post-9/11 veterans. These young Veterans are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease than a non Veteran the same age.
Without urgent policy change, these veterans will continue to face unnecessary barriers to care and financial support, forcing them to fight yet another battle long after their service has ended. Congress must act now to update VA policy to ensure that all veterans suffering from service-related Parkinson’s disease receive the benefits and support.
What You Can Do:
We need to put pressure on Congress to let this ban take effect as planned. Legislators—especially those considering a repeal—must hear directly from their constituents.
Write, call, or email your representatives. Demand that they stand with veterans and service members instead of corporate lobbyists. Tell them that protecting the health of those who defend our country is non-negotiable.
The fight to protect our troops doesn’t end on the battlefield. It continues here, at home, in the halls of Congress. Let’s stand up for those who stood up for us.
For more information and to get involved, organizations like EarthJustice are actively lobbying on this issue and can provide further details on where the repeal effort stands. The time to act is now.
