Benzene exposure on military bases significantly increases the risk of kidney cancer
As a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature, benzene is a highly toxic solvent. It was present in the environment on numerous military bases during the last century, which posed a major health threat to service members.
Benzene is also found in diesel fuel. Frequent benzene exposure can result in kidney cancer several years or even decades later, as the chemical gradually accumulates in the body. On military bases, it was also used to clean up weapons and equipment.
A study from the medical journal Safety and Health at Work assessed the impact of various solvents on the kidneys. While exposure to benzene and alkyl benzene was associated with kidney injury and kidney cancer, exposure to toluene, another solvent that might have lurked on military bases, was found to cause:
- renal tubular acidosis
- hypokalemia
- hypophosphatemia
- azotemia
- hematuria
- proteinuria
Furthermore, a greater kidney cancer incidence and mortality were observed among individuals with high PFOA exposure. This chemical belongs to the PFAS group, and it has a strong connection with kidney cancer. If you were stationed at a military base with documented toxic contamination and now suffer from kidney cancer, we advise you to give our experienced attorney a call, but first, you should check whether you meet the eligibility requirements for filing a claim, which are:
- you must have been stationed at a contaminated military base for a significant time
- you must have been exposed to toxic substances on the military base
- you must have a diagnosis of kidney cancer linked to toxic exposure
- you must have been discharged other than dishonorably from the military
It is important to know that the family members of veterans who spent time with them at a polluted military base and developed kidney cancer might also be entitled to compensation. Before assessing your case, we will need your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. These documents will allow our attorneys to determine whether you are eligible to file a claim. As a family member, you will have to provide us with evidence of your stay at the military base in addition to your medical records.
There are significant mortality and incidence rates of kidney cancer among firefighters who use AFFF
The formula for the fire suppressant AFFF was devised by the U.S. Navy and the 3M company in 1967. Since then, it has been widely used by civilian and military firefighters alike for class B fires, more specifically, fires stemming from flammable liquids and gases.
However, AFFF is highly dangerous, as it sometimes contains up to 98% PFAS and exposure to these chemicals is linked to a high risk of kidney cancer, among other diseases.
If you are a firefighter who regularly used this fire suppressant and now struggle with kidney cancer, feel free to give our legal team a call, as you might be entitled to compensation. These are the eligibility requirements if you intend to file a claim for AFFF exposure:
- you must have used the fire suppressant AFFF for a significant time
- you must have been discharged other than dishonorably if you were a military firefighter
- you must have a diagnosis of kidney cancer linked to toxic exposure
Nonetheless, our attorneys will also need your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records to be able to properly assess your case. They will carefully review these documents to establish whether you qualify to file a claim for AFFF exposure, and if you do, they will promptly let you know about your legal options.