AFFF Exposes Firefighters To Higher Rates Of Cancer Compared To The General Population
Research indicates that PFAS exposure is linked to immune system defects and hormone disruption
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 - Being a professional firefighter is a universally respected profession. Firefighters are fully invested in preventing the destruction of natural resources, buildings, and people by fire and chemical hazards. But there are catastrophic health risks associated with this saving lives and property, not the least of which is the potential for chemical exposure. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is one of those chemicals that have been found to pose a serious health danger. Firefighters use AFFFs a lot because they work well at swiftly putting out fuel fires. Regrettably, per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) found in these foams have been connected to many health problems, including cancer. Researchers are looking into the possible link between firefighters' exposure to AFFF and higher cancer rates; case studies and testimonies shed light on this vital workforce's influence. AFFF has been in use since the 1960s, prized for its ability to spread over flammable liquids and form a barrier that suffocates fires by cutting off the oxygen supply. However, the key ingredient contributing to their effectiveness is PFAS, a group of chemicals found to be persistent in the environment and human body, leading to long-term exposure risks. Research has increasingly indicated that PFAS exposure is linked to several health problems, including immune system effects, hormone disruption, and notably, cancer. PFAS accumulate in the body over time, with studies demonstrating their presence in blood, breast milk, and even unborn children.
Because firefighters employ these foams for training and actual firefighting, they are at the forefront of AFFF exposure. Because of the nature of their employment, they come into touch with contaminated gear, equipment, and maybe even the water and soil at locations where AFFFs have been deployed, in addition to the foam itself. The alarming correlation between firefighters' exposure to AFFF and elevated cancer risks has been brought to light by numerous research. Research has revealed, for example, that firefighters had greater levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than the general population. This is related to a higher risk of cancer, especially kidney and testicular malignancies, which are among the cancer types most closely linked to PFAS exposure. John, a seasoned California firefighter, talks about his experience receiving a kidney cancer diagnosis. " We were always told that the foams were safe. It was a shock when I got sick. I never made the connection until I heard about the dangers of the chemicals we were using."
the instance of a small town fire department that routinely used AFFFs in training on a nearby training field. A few years later, the town's firefighters developed a cancer cluster with rates much higher than the national norm. Numerous fire departments and regulatory bodies are reassessing the use of AFFF in light of growing facts. The search is on for safer substitutes free of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and changes are being made to protocols to reduce exposure. Nonetheless, considering the extent of pollution and the persistence of PFAS in the environment, the challenge is still substantial. New York firefighter Emily outlines the modifications her department implemented: We've upgraded our post-fire decontamination protocols and begun utilizing foams devoid of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. It's about safeguarding our well-being as we look out for others."
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