CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A panel recently formed to evaluate Camp Lejeune's response to the contamination has just issued its report.

The study said Camp Lejeune officials did not act quickly enough to fix the problems. However, it said Lejeune's slow response was understandable because there were not many regulations back then and also because there were not many complaints about the water quality.

Twenty-four years ago, thousands of people were living on base at Camp Lejeune and drinking contaminated water. Now, many of those people say they suffer serious illnesses, including cancer.

A group called Water Survivors sharply criticizes the report. The group claims the chairman of the study panel actually fell asleep while victims gave their testimony.