AFFF or Aqueous Film Forming Foam is a suppressant used by firefighters, military, airports, and commercial complexes to fight fire. This foam has effectively helped fight petroleum-based fires for more than 50 years. However, when AIFF enters the environment during use, it contaminates the soil, groundwater, and surface water and can enter the drainage system and be carried to remote locations.
Data collected by the Environmental Working Group or EWG indicates that AFFF contamination is real and several locations all over the US, such as military facilities, airports, fuel tank farms, refineries, and other industries, have heavy contamination from the potential storage and use of AFFF.
What Are the Side Effects of AFFF?
AFFF is made up of perfluorooctanoic acid, commonly known as PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid or PFOS. These chemicals are carcinogenic polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS that are commonly called ‘forever chemicals.’ These forever chemicals have a strong elemental bond between fluorine and carbon in their composition that is hard to break down once it enters the human body or the environment. Once a person consumes these carcinogenic chemicals, they remain in their body for prolonged time periods and can adversely affect the person’s health.
Information released by the US Department of Veteran Affairs indicates that military personnel exposed to this fire-fighting foam can be at an increased risk of getting cancer associated with the breast, prostate, testicles, pancreas, liver, and kidney. Moreover, research conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or IARC and several other trials conducted through animal testing and studies on human exposure establish a strong link between exposure to fire-fighting foam and testicular cancer and kidney cancer. Owing to such elaborate research, several fire-fighting bodies like the International Association of Firefighters have raised their concerns o the US senate about the potential risks of using AFFF.
Filing an AFFF Lawsuit
Fire Fighter organizations, Aviation and Military, have warned their members about the dangers of AFFF and are striving to make changes about it. But as there is existing widespread contamination of AIFF that cannot be handled immediately and people working in facilities or spending considerable amounts of time near one are potentially already exposed to the AFFF hazards. If you have been diagnosed with cancer that you believe is a result of potentially being exposed to the PFAS in AFFF, then you can be eligible to file a claim and receive a settlement for your damages.
How Can A Good AFFF Lawyer Help You?
If you or someone you know has been suffering from cancer of the liver, testicles, prostate, breasts, pancreas, or kidney that has been caused by exposure to AIFF, then it is imperative to hire a knowledgeable and experienced AFFF lawsuit attorney who can help you understand your legal options. A skilled lawyer can help you by representing you in litigation and strive relentlessly to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve. A good lawyer will provide all the necessary resources to win your case while also raising awareness in your area to prevent further contamination.
