Firefighters Face Carcinogenic Substances Every Day In Firefighting Foam And Their Protective Gear

They are now aware of the cancer risks and are attempting to reduce exposure

Friday, April 12, 2024 - In the mid-1980s, an innovative AFFF firefighting foam was introduced during a training exercise with the Tucson Fire Department, marking a significant advance in firefighting technology. According to azcentral.com Frank Granados, who was training with the department at the time, vividly recalls the moment a pool of JP-4 jet fuel was successfully extinguished using this new product. The foam, known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), showcased remarkable efficiency, putting out the fire in approximately 40 seconds--nearly twice as fast as any other method available to them. Granados, now a senior advisor for the Rio Rico Medical and Fire District, remembers being impressed by its effectiveness and the notable improvement in odor compared to the protein-based foam they had previously used, which contained animal blood. The introduction of AFFF represented a pivotal moment for firefighting crews in Tucson and beyond. Its ability to rapidly suppress fires, especially those involving flammable liquids known as Class B fires, made it an invaluable tool. The positive experience of the Tucson Fire Department with AFFF in the 1980s led to its widespread adoption across the country. For nearly half a century, AFFF became the go-to solution for handling challenging Class B fires, largely due to its superior performance and efficiency in extinguishing fires that traditional foams struggled to manage. This new foam not only worked faster but also offered a more user-friendly option, devoid of the unpleasant smell associated with its protein-based predecessor.

Nonetheless, there has been criticism by AFFF lawyers and others in recent years over the broad acceptance and application of AFFF. Azcentral.com writes that the nature of AFFF foam is the main cause for concern, especially considering how many perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) it contains. PFAS is an acronym for a class of synthetic compounds that have been connected to numerous health and environmental problems. Even though PFAS is useful in fighting fires, its use may have dangers, thus its safety and effects on the environment and human health have been reevaluated in light of its finding in AFFF. Many fire districts and air bases are looking for safer alternatives as a result of the increased knowledge that has caused a global reevaluation of the AFFF's role in combating fires. Because of this, firefighting communities all over the world are moving away from AFFF to reduce the threats PFAS represents to human health and the environment. Fire departments are searching for new materials that can equal the foam's efficiency without having to deal with the hazardous effects of its chemical components, as the search for replacements has escalated. This change represents a larger trend in the firefighting sector toward safer, more sustainable methods, demonstrating a growing dedication to preserving not just people's lives and property but also the environment and general public health. The legacy of AFFF serves as a reminder of the necessity for ongoing innovation and diligence in the development and deployment of firefighting technology as the industry continues to change.

Information provided by AFFFLawsuitCenter.com, a website devoted to providing news about AFFF and PFAS cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia claims, including a free no-cost, no-obligation AFFF Lawsuit Claim.