Firefighting Foam & AFFF

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been used to extinguish fires since the 1960s. Airports and military bases have relied on AFFF to put out jet fuel and petroleum fires. Manufacturers have used cancer-causing chemicals called PFAS to make a type of firefighting foam known as AFFF for decades.

If you were exposed to firefighting foam on the job and have been diagnosed with cancer, you may be able to pursue compensation from a firefighting foam lawsuit. See if we can help you get the money and justice you deserve.

What Is AFFF?

Known officially as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), firefighting foam creates a blanket that cuts off the fuel from the oxygen it needs to burn, effectively smothering the fire.

One of the main ingredients of firefighter foam, however, is dangerous chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The EPA uses PFAS as an umbrella term to refer to a group of toxic chemicals that includes:

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA or C8)
• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
• Other PFA substances

The EPA has classified PFAS chemicals as “emerging contaminants,” meaning exposure to PFAS can be dangerous to human health.

Toxic Firefighting Foam Dangers

Major health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the EPA, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have noted that certain PFAS chemicals may be linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems in firefighters.

PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals,” because their highly durable nature means they do not break down over time.

Because of this, PFAS may remain in the body for years, building up over time and causing numerous firefighting foam health effects and risks.

The following types of cancers have been linked to exposure to firefighting foam that contains PFAS:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Renal or kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Ulcerative colitis
• Uterine or endometrial cancer

In addition to multiple types of cancer, PFAS exposure can also lead to thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease).

If you were diagnosed with cancer as a result of PFAS exposure, you may be able to work with a law firm to file an AFFF lawsuit to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses and more.

AFFF Manufacturers

Since the invention of firefighting foam in 1963, many U.S. companies have been involved in the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of cancer-causing firefighting foam.

Some of the companies involved in the manufacturing and distribution of firefighting foams include:

• 3M Company
• Ansul®
• Chemguard, Inc.
• DuPont™
• Dynax Corporation
• National Foam
• Tyco Fire Products

3M Company, Ansul, and National Foam have provided AFFF to the U.S. military.

If you were diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to AFFF, regardless of who manufactured it, you may be eligible for compensation.

Get Help Filing an AFFF Cancer Lawsuit

Firefighters shouldn’t have been put at risk of cancer from simply doing their jobs. They trusted that the firefighting foam they were using was safe for themselves and those they were protecting.

Anyone who experienced occupational exposure to firefighter foam that contained PFAS (cancer-causing substances known as “forever chemicals”) and later developed certain types of cancer or other related health conditions may be able to file an AFFF lawsuit.

Our legal partners never charge any upfront or hourly fees and can file a firefighting foam lawsuit on behalf of civilian and military firefighters in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now. Our team can go over your options and let you know if you qualify to take legal action at no cost to you.