AFFF Concerns Lead to Legal Action By Several Firefighting Occupations And Others
Military service members and firefighters are among the types of occupations that have routinely come into contact with AFFF
Monday, October 16, 2023 - Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a fire suppression substance utilized by military bases, airports, oil and gas facilities, and municipal fire departments, has become the focal point of heightened environmental and health concerns. AFFF, known for its role in suppressing fires, has been associated with an elevated risk of cancer among individuals who routinely come into contact with the sudsy foam in their professional capacities, such as firefighters and maintenance workers. AFFF cancers potentially attributed to AFFF exposure include bladder cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. AFFF is composed of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are unique due to their remarkable molecular stability, making them effective flame retardants. PFAS chemicals are best known for their extraordinary persistence and comprise various compounds, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). Their resistance to natural degradation is why they are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," raising substantial concerns for both human health and the environment. Hundreds of AFFF lawsuits have been initiated by military veterans, firefighters, and other professionals who are convinced by science their cancer diagnoses were the result of prolonged AFFF exposure during their careers. It is noteworthy that AFFF firefighters and their family members diagnosed with specific cancer types may be eligible to pursue compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and the suffering endured.
In addition to fire suppression, AFFF demonstrates versatility in applications, including the degreasing of military and firefighting equipment, eliminating the need for extensive manual cleaning. One user of foam suppression systems has highlighted AFFF's adaptability, describing it as a remarkable degreaser that effortlessly removes stains. Legal action is gaining traction as affected individuals seek justice through litigation targeting various manufacturers, including prominent entities like 3M and DuPont. These legal proceedings seek to hold accountable those who have profited from the sale of firefighting foam, alleging negligence and recklessness in producing a product known to pose significant threats to both the environment and public health. Notably, the Attorney General's Office in Pennsylvania has initiated a complaint against AFFF manufacturers, citing environmental harm stemming from PFAS chemicals. AFFF's applications extend beyond firefighting, finding use in a range of industries, including military installations, airfields, oil and gas facilities, and municipal fire departments. Professionals who have experience with AFFF emphasize its indispensability in firefighting scenarios, noting its obligatory use in such contexts. Experts spanning health officials, environmental scientists, government entities, and even firefighters collectively underscore the pressing concerns associated with AFFF firefighting foam. They unanimously recognize its adverse impact on the environment and its potential to jeopardize human health. Scientific consensus asserts that AFFF firefighting foam, enriched with PFAS persistent chemicals, does not naturally degrade in the environment or within the human body, possibly contributing to cancer development. This consensus has given rise to numerous legal actions related to cancer stemming from AFFF firefighting foam.
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