Recovering Damages After Being Injured by Firefighter Foam
Firefighter foam (AFFF) has been used by firefighters, including civilian and military personnel for more than 50 years. The foam was used by multiple organizations, both in actual firefighting and in training exercises. AFFF contains many chemicals that can accumulate in the body over time with the potential to cause serious damage to the body. A number of serious illnesses are associated with those toxic chemicals, including various forms of cancer.
Where Is Firefighting Foam Used?
Firefighting foam is a type of fire suppressant. Foam firefighting is particularly effective at extinguishing liquid fires, like those in the oil industry and those caused by fuel and other combustibles such as gasoline. Even though firefighting foam has benefits, it poses serious health problems, including cancer risks. The purpose of AFFF firefighting foam is to suppress fires. Firefighting foam is associated with a high risk of cancer. Why is that? This can be explained by the toxic chemicals present in the foam itself.
In Firefighting Foam (AFFF), What Chemicals Are Present?
Firefighting foam contains many toxic chemicals. There are many consumer products that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The occurrence of polyfluoroalkyl substances as cancer-causing agents has attracted much attention over the past decade. There are two other PFA chemicals that have been identified in firefighting aqueous film-forming foams, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFNA) is also a component of PFAS chemicals that has been shown to be carcinogenic (causing cancer). As a result of its widespread use around the country, this type of firefighting foam has been linked to cancer in people who have been exposed to it. The use of AFFF was not limited only to fighting real fires but also to training firefighters.
The Following Cancers Have Been Linked to PFAS
A variety of cancers and other health problems have been linked to firefighting foam, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Liver cancer
- Complications with fertility
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Joining a Mass Tort Lawsuit to Recover Damages
If you suffered injuries due to your exposure to firefighter foam, you may be able to join in the mass tort lawsuit to recover the compensation you deserve. Those who were exposed to this dangerous substance include military personnel, firefighters, mill and airport workers and those who lived near production plants that produced these dangerous substances. You should consult with an experienced AFFF attorney to protect your rights and discover what options are available to recover damages.
In the event you are diagnosed with cancer or another illness after exposure to firefighting foam, you may be able to sue companies such as 3M, Dupont, Tyco or others for their negligence in the manufacture of firefighting foam, and studies showed the link to cancer as early as the 1960s.
Diaz Law Firm – Mass Tort Lawyers
If you would like to speak with a mass tort lawyer for free, contact the Diaz Law Firm. If you have any questions, we are available to assist you at 1-800-459-2222, and you can message us online as well. You can reach out to us for help if you have been injured anywhere in the country.