The Dangers Behind Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)!
If you or someone you love has developed cancer, due to direct exposure with AFFF, please call Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban right away!
What is AFFF?
AFFF stands for Aqueous Film-Forming Foam.
It is commonly used by firefighters as a suppressant, and functions by cooling a fire while also coating the fuel behind it.
The foam will create a film between the fuel and oxygen, which works to actively prevent any further combustion.
Sadly, it’s been documented by many organizations including the CDC, the EPA, and also the American Cancer Society (ACS) that two compounds:
– which are per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known to be present within the foam, and, have presented horrible, long-lasting effects on those who have used it.
What’s worse is that a PFAS, which we’ve alluded to above, is commonly referred to as a ‘forever chemical’.
These elemental bonds between fluorine and carbon become vastly difficult for not only the environment, but, also our bodies to strip down and decompose.
To put it simply, if consumed by people, even in a work atmosphere, carcinogens that are inside of an AFFF take a very long time to go away and will linger and live inside of an individual’s body.
AFFF & Various Types of Cancer
As of right now, AFFF’s that are known to contain PFOA and PFOS have been linked to the following types of cancer:
- Kidney Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
There are also links to leukemia, lymphoma, and neuroendocrine tumors.
Those who fall into the category of most commonly at risk would be individuals who worked to produce AFFF’s, firefighters who use it daily in the line of duty all across the United States, as well as Air Force personnel who have had direct exposure to chemicals.
Most major United States airports have now also decided to switch to PFAS-free fire foam due to the current firefighting foam’s links to cancer. This change was due in large part to the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, which passed in the Senate, by a vote of 93-6.
How Can I Limit Exposure?
Unfortunately, PFAS, PFOA, or PFOS are typically ingested orally, absorbed through the skin, or even inhaled through exposure in the atmosphere. Any individuals who use fire-fighting AFFF’s should make sure that they’re constantly aware of, and practice, these rules to reduce their amount of exposure:
- Shower within one hour of returning home, or to the fire station
- Make sure to wear and properly remove PPE when handling AFFF
- Contain, manage, and remove AFFF and any excess water runoff that accumulates
- Replace older AFFF stocks with fluorine-free foams
- Use cleaning wipes on face, neck, and hands immediately after exposure to an AFFF
- Wipe down all equipment and PPE
Schedule a Free Consultation Today! Sign Up Below!
If you or someone you love has been ill due to constant exposure to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam, anywhere across the United States, our attorneys at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban may be able to help.
We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation possible for your injuries. Call us today at (855) 435-7247 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
You can also contact us by filling out the form below. Once you’ve filled it out, and we’ve received it, we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as we possibly can. Thanks!
