Aqueous film-forming foam, commonly known as AFFF, is a type of fire-suppressant foam used for fighting high-hazard flammable liquid fires (Class B). Although AFFF is very effective in extinguishing Class B fires and saving human lives, it has recently been determined to be highly toxic as it contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Increasing scientific and medical evidence back up our medical research team that shows that exposure to PFOA and PFOS - the most well-studied PFAS to date - through AFFF is related to kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer. If you suspect that your cancer, or another serious medical condition, was caused by exposure to AFFF, get in touch with our expert attorneys who will help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Firefighters are at high risk of AFFF exposure & Qualifying Diseases
International studies on firefighters confirmed that they are at increased risk of testicular cancer, which can even be considered an occupational disease for firefighters.
Besides accumulating in the blood of exposed individuals, PFAS accumulate throughout life especially in the liver and kidneys, increasing the risk of developing cancer and other serious diseases.
Firefighters were never told about the health consequences of AFFF and no one made much effort to stop it from escaping into the environment. The following are the diseases qualifying for filing a claim with the manufacturers of AFFF:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disease
- Bladder cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Hogkin's lymphoma
- Male breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Health organizations such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Cancer Society (ACS), and U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) have found that certain PFAS may affect the immune system and increase the risk of cancer.
The EPA has classified the chemicals in the foam products as "emerging contaminants", meaning that the health hazards and environmental risks associated with AFFF are significant. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as a "possible carcinogenic to humans", based on evidence of bladder cancer from studies in factory workers exposed to PFOA.
Exposure to AFFF any time as a firefighter after 1960 might be sufficient to become eligible. Obviously, the better cases will have more exposure, but the toxicity of the chemicals is such that even minimal direct exposure on a semi-regular basis can cause harm.