Firefighting Foam Cancer

The use of Firefighting foam was introduced back in the 1950s. To manufacture firefighting foam, dangerous chemicals (PFAS) were used. It has been discovered that PFAS may be the reason many firefighters have developed testicular, kidney or pancreatic cancer. Compensation may be available through a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit if PFAS is determined to have caused your cancer.

For many decades, sales of chemical-based firefighting foam have been made as this foam’s effectiveness in extinguishing fires, particularly jet fuel and petroleum fires. Firefighters who were regularly exposed to the foam may have developed kidney, testicular, and pancreatic cancer . U.S. military firefighters especailly could be at risk as the firefighting foam was commonly used during the past 60 years or so. Firefighters who worked at any of the many airports around the world may also be at risk because many airports had the foam in use until 2018.

If you are firefighter, or know a firefighter exposed to this foam, later developing kidney, testicular, or pancreatic cancer, you may be entitled to compensation through a firefighter foam lawsuit with the help of Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers.

What is Firefighting Foam?

Aqueous film-forming foam, or “AFFF” is the actual name of the firefighting foam. The firefighting foam forms a “blanket” that cuts off the fuel from the oxygen it requires to burn. Chemicals known as Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were used to smother the fire, and are sometimes still used in cetain situations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other major health organizations such as United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have noted that certain PFAS may be linked to cancer in firefighters. In fact, the EPA has classified PFAS as “emerging contaminants,” meaning they are likely dangerous to human health.

Other cancers associated with PFAS include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer (colon and/or rectal cancer)
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lymphoma
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Prostate cancer

PFAS is highly durable which means the formula does not break down over time. For this reason, it may remain in the body for years.

High-Risk Occupations

As mentioned earlier in this article, people who served as airport or military firefighters have a high risk of PFAS exposure. Up until 2018, following U.S. Navy guidelines, the Federal Airport Administration (FAA) required airports to use PFAS foam.

Since the 1960s, the U.S. Navy and other branches of the U.S. military have used firefighting foam, even during training exercises and non-critical missions. It was particularly favored since it could put out jet fuel fires.

File a Firefighter Foam Lawsuit

At Bagolie Friedman Inlury Lawyers, the firefighting foam attorneys are currently investigating cases involving cancers mentioned above after being exposed to firefighting foam.

You should get a no-cost consultation with an an attorney at Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers to discuss a PFAS or AFFF foam lawsuit against companies that made firefighting foam. You may be able to receive financial compensation for your injuries.