By Michael Bartlett on April 24th, 2025 in PFAS/AFFF
For decades, civilian and military firefighters used aqueous film-forming firefighting foam (AFFF) to fight high-risk fires. AFFF fire extinguishers contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals linked to numerous health problems, including thyroid cancer.
PFAS is a group of more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals. With their heat, stain, and oil-resistant properties, they became essential in manufacturing AFFF. Once considered the 'gold standard' in firefighting foam, AFFF can put out fires in less than 30 seconds.
More and more studies about the harmful effects of PFAS on human health continue to emerge. The most recent one came out in the journal Environmental Journal last January. Scientists found that exposure to a mix of certain PFAS types - PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid) and PFDoA (perfluorododecanoic acid) - can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
In 2023, international researchers also discovered that people have a 56% chance of developing papillary thyroid cancer if they have been exposed to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) for a long time. PFOS is a type of PFAS and has been labeled as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
PFAS earned the nickname 'forever chemicals' because of their inability to degrade. When absorbed in the body, they accumulate in the bloodstream, tissues, and even organs, including the thyroid gland.
Other studies have suggested that PFAS can disrupt the thyroid's hormone synthesis and function. When they enter the body, they will likely bind to thyroid hormone receptors and interrupt thyroid hormone transport.
Any disruption in the thyroid's hormone production can lead to health issues. This may cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage in thyroid cells, and all these factors can increase the risk of cancer.
A patient with thyroid cancer may exhibit the following symptoms:
Millions are exposed to certain amounts of PFAS on a daily basis. Scientists even estimate that about 97% of Americans have quantities of these forever chemicals in their blood. However, the following groups have elevated risks of developing thyroid cancer due to constant exposure to PFAS:
Due to its detrimental health effects, thousands of firefighters took legal action against chemical companies that manufacture AFFF. A U.S. District Court in South Carolina currently oversees and consolidates more than 10,000 cases in the AFFF MDL. Aside from holding manufacturers accountable, the MDL also seeks damages for health issues, like thyroid cancer, linked to these forever chemicals.
If you are a civilian or military firefighter and have come to suffer from thyroid cancer after using AFFF, we highly encourage you to contact our legal team, as you might be eligible for an AFFF thyroid cancer claim.
To start the process, you need to provide our lawyers with your employment or military records as proof of your exposure to AFFF. You must also submit your medical statements indicating your thyroid cancer diagnosis. After that, we will review your case and check your eligibility. If you qualify, we can help you navigate the right steps to get the compensation you deserve.