20% of the firefighters regularly exposed to AFFF come to struggle with a form of cancer
Aqueous film-forming foam, commonly know as AFFF, has been used by firefighters both during training and on the job since 1970, as it is very effective in extinguishing petroleum and jet fuel fires. However, AFFF contains two groups of toxic chemicals, namely PFOS and PFOA. Prolonged exposure to PFOS and PFOA can lead to adverse human health effects over the years. It is estimated that 20% of firefighters come to struggle with a disease as a result of frequent exposure to AFFF.
Nevertheless, it is important to know that it takes several years of exposure for a firefighter to develop a form of cancer. If you are a firefighter who developed a disease as a consequence of occupational exposure to AFFF, you have the legal right to seek compensation from the liable company. A lawyer with vast experience in toxic exposure cases will be able to help you file a lawsuit against the responsible company and if you were exposed in the military, a claim with the VA for disability compensation as well.
While AFFF is not a carcinogen in and of itself, the PFOS and PFOA it contains are
Because it contains two groups of carcinogenic substances, PFOS and PFOA, AFFF is harmful to the health of humans, and exposure can result in terrible diseases such as:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disease
- Bladder cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Male breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Once they are released, PFOS and PFOA contaminate the environment which leads to greater health risk for the general public. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOS and PFOA as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” and numerous medical studies found that prolonged exposure to these two groups of chemicals has serious effects on our health, leading to the development of several cancers. For this reason, firefighters and military personnel who regularly use AFFF, whether in training or during service, are at the highest risk of receiving a dire diagnosis as a result of their frequent exposure to the PFOS and PFOA present in AFFF.
Recovering compensation for diseases caused by AFFF
In the unfortunate event that you developed a form of cancer as a consequence of exposure to PFAS-based firefighting foams in occupational or military settings, you are entitled to financial compensation. A lawyer who specializes in toxic exposure cases will help you file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the PFAS-containing foams you were exposed to so that you will receive the maximum compensation possible for your AFFF-related disease.
If you are a veteran, your lawyer will also file a claim for disability compensation with the VA. The only documents we will need from you are your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. Eventually, you will recover the compensation you deserve, which will also help you afford better healthcare and treatment.