Toxic substances in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) may cause cancer in the firefighters who use it. Firefighting foams have contained perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since the 1960s, and public concern about the man-made chemicals is growing.
Although all humans have been exposed to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in food, household products, and drinking water, workplace exposure can create dangerous levels of PFAS in the human body, and organizations like the American Cancer Society have linked the substances to cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer after using firefighting foam, you may be entitled to compensation. Kwartler Manus, LLC is available 24/7 to discuss your needs. Call us at (267) 457-5570 to get started today.
PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of man-made chemicals used in the production of everyday goods – from nonstick pans to stain-resistant carpets and clothing to automotive products and firefighting foams. PFAS include PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and other chemicals – and more than 4,700 PFAS exist. Due to evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects, some PFAS are no longer manufactured in the United States. Still, some organizations continue to use firefighting foam with PFAS.
People get exposed to PFAS by consuming contaminated water and food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing PFAS in the air. Avoiding PFAS is nearly impossible, as these “forever chemicals” exist in our air, water, and soil and have no known “half-life,” or period of decay.
Exposure to PFAS will not cause immediate harm, but the chemicals build up in your body in a process known as bioaccumulation. The more PFAS you are exposed to, the higher your likelihood of adverse health effects.
Unfortunately, firefighting foams used by both civilian and military firefighters contain PFAS and increase PFAS exposure to dangerous levels. These chemicals also contaminate the ground water and environment surrounding military bases where AFFF is used. Serving in the military or working as a firefighter can expose you to too many PFAS and cause health problems.
PFAS exposure can lead to a long list of adverse health effects, including cancer. The consequences of PFAS exposure include but are not limited to:
In addition to all of these health problems, PFAS have also been linked to the following cancers:
Health organizations like the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are concerned about the prevalence and persistence of PFAS. Exposure points exist everywhere, and PFAS stay in the body for years. Experts are especially concerned about workplace exposure in production facilities and industries that use PFAS, including the firefighting industry.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to PFAS in firefighting foam, you may be entitled to compensation. Airport firefighters and firefighters in the military were exposed to PFAS from the 1970s to 2018, and many fire departments still use PFAS-containing AFFF foam. Although AFFF is affordable and effective at putting out fires, it is also unsafe for human use.
If you suffer a cancer diagnosis because of firefighting foam, you may be able to hold the manufacturers of that foam accountable. Kwartler Manus, LLC can help. We do everything in our power to help our clients, and our team is backed by extensive trial experience. If you need a lawyer who will see your case the whole way through and fight to win, look no further than our firm.
We are available 24/7 to discuss your needs, so please do not hesitate to call Kwartler Manus, LLC at (267) 457-5570 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
