Deep within the desert of San Bernardino County lies the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base and several decades’ worth of pollution along with it. Found within the soil and groundwater surrounding the base are a plethora of toxic chemicals and heavy metals left behind by industrial activities and improper waste practices.
When negligence leads to public health risks and environmental devastation, as it has at this site, OnderLaw stands ready to seek justice. Our experienced team of environmental attorneys knows what it takes to navigate the complicated system of environmental law, and our mission is to seek accountability and prevent environmental disasters from happening in the future.
The Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base, located in San Bernardino County, spans over 5,000 acres and has been a significant contributor to the pollution in the area. Initially established in the early 1940s as a training facility for troops heading into World War II, the base has evolved into a key logistics hub for the Marine Corps.
In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency began assessing the property and their findings were tragic. Due to severe contamination, the base officially became a designated Superfund site in 1989. Through the Superfund program, funding was allocated for extreme remediation efforts and even emergency response efforts to protect the community of Barstow, CA, and prevent further pollution in San Bernardino County.
Over the years, the industrial activities carried out at the base, combined with improper waste practices, led to significant contamination of both the surrounding soil and groundwater. The extensive pollution at the site has raised serious concerns about public health risks and environmental devastation.
Efforts have been made to clean up the contamination at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base. The remediation measures include providing an alternate drinking water supply to affected communities and treating contaminated sludges to prevent further spreading of the toxins. Emergency response and contaminant removal activities have also taken place to prevent contaminated water and soil from spreading into the surrounding community.
Fortunately, in 2019, all remediation efforts at the site were completed successfully. However, prior to successful intervention, these contaminants were left free to seep into the local water supply and into the environment. During that time, these chemicals very likely put the public at risk of exposure, and the health effects that may arise from the pollutants found can be devastating.
While the site may be safe today, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the lingering pollution and prevent further environmental disasters. While the EPA will continue to review the site every five years, OnderLaw, with our experienced team of environmental attorneys, will remain dedicated to seeking justice and accountability for those affected by the pollution at the base and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
San Bernardino County has long been plagued by the devastating effects of pollution. The Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base is just one example of the environmental disasters that have occurred in the region. Unfortunately, as a Superfund site, this site was discovered to be one of the most polluted areas in the county.
With environmental disasters comes a number of public health concerns. One of the most significant concerns is the severe water pollution in the area. The chemicals and heavy metals found in the soil and groundwater can seep into local water supplies, posing serious health risks to those who rely on these sources for drinking and irrigation. Fortunately, emergency responses and remediation efforts have provided nearby residents with alternate drinking sources. Despite these efforts, however, residents may have unknowingly ingested toxic chemicals, some of which may cause serious health conditions several years after exposure.
One of the most significant threats to the local drinking water was polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the area. PCBs are highly toxic and persistent chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment and other industrial applications until they were banned in the United States in 1979.
The pollution in San Bernardino County is a clear indication that stronger measures need to be taken to prevent further environmental disasters. It is not enough to simply clean up the contamination after the damage has been done. Our firm, OnderLaw, is committed to seeking justice and accountability for those affected by this pollution. We will fight for the rights of injured plaintiffs and work toward preventing similar incidents from happening in the future. Together, we can make a difference and protect our environment for generations to come.
Exposure to PCBs and heavy metals found at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base Superfund site poses significant health risks to individuals in the surrounding area. From skin conditions to organ damage, and even cancer, these risks should not be taken lightly.
Cancer is one of the most concerning health risks associated with PCB exposure. Studies have shown that PCBs are carcinogenic and can increase the risk of various types of cancer, including liver cancer, skin cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Prolonged exposure to PCBs has been shown to disrupt normal cell growth and lead to the development of malignant tumors.
In addition to PCBs, heavy metals found at the site, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, also pose significant health risks. These heavy metals are known to be toxic to the human body and can cause a range of health problems. Lead exposure, for example, can lead to developmental delays and cognitive impairments, particularly in young children.
The presence of these toxic chemicals and heavy metals in the soil and groundwater surrounding the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base Superfund site puts nearby residents at risk of exposure. Even though remediation efforts have been undertaken, it is important to recognize that the effects of exposure to these pollutants can be long-lasting and may take years to manifest as serious health conditions.
At OnderLaw, we are committed to seeking justice for those affected by the pollution at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base Superfund site. We understand the devastating health effects that exposure to PCBs and heavy metals can have, and we are prepared to fight for the rights of injured plaintiffs.
OnderLaw is prepared to take legal action on behalf of those who have been injured by the pollution at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base Superfund site. Our experienced team of environmental attorneys is well-versed in environmental law and will fight vigorously for the rights of injured plaintiffs.
In cases like this, where negligence has led to public health risks and environmental devastation, a mass tort or class action lawsuit may be appropriate. A mass tort is a legal action brought by a group of plaintiffs who have all suffered similar harm due to the actions of a single defendant. This type of lawsuit allows individuals to pool their resources and share the costs of litigation, while still pursuing their own individual claims.
A class action lawsuit, on the other hand, allows a representative plaintiff to bring a case on behalf of a larger group of individuals who have been harmed by the same defendant. This type of lawsuit is typically used when the number of potential plaintiffs is too large for individual lawsuits to be practical.
Class action lawsuits can be a powerful tool for seeking justice and holding polluters accountable. In both mass torts and class actions, OnderLaw has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the complex legal system and fight for the rights of injured plaintiffs. We will gather the evidence needed to build a strong case, advocate for fair compensation, and work to prevent future environmental disasters.
If you or a loved one have been affected by the contaminants at the Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base Superfund site, or any of the pollution in San Bernardino County, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation today. We are here to fight for you and ensure that those responsible for the contamination are held accountable.
