FAQ: What Happens If You Are Exposed to AFFF?

Cancer Risks Associated with AFFF Exposure

Long-term exposure to AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) has been linked to several types of cancer due to its containing PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals” because they persist in both the environment and human body.

These dangerous substances can accumulate over time, leading to serious health complications and increased cancer risks for those regularly exposed to the firefighting foam.

Scientific Evidence Supporting AFFF-Cancer Connection

According to research by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health there is compelling evidence linking PFAS exposure to various forms of cancer.

The groundbreaking C8 Health Project has also established probable links between PFAS exposure and several cancer types.

Key cancer types linked to AFFF exposure include:

• Kidney Cancer: Studies show significant correlation with PFAS exposure
• Testicular Cancer: Strong evidence linking to long-term AFFF contact
• Prostate Cancer: Higher occurrence rates in exposed populations
• Thyroid Cancer: Increased risk due to endocrine system disruption

These cancer types have been consistently observed in populations with significant PFAS exposure, particularly among individuals who regularly worked with or were exposed to AFFF.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has documented how these chemicals persist in the body, potentially leading to cancer development years after initial exposure.

Occupational Hazards and High-Risk Professions

Research by Silent Spring Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified specific occupational groups facing elevated risks of PFAS exposure through AFFF use.

Professions with highest AFFF exposure risk:

• Firefighters: Regular exposure during training and emergency response
• Military Personnel: Frequent use in aircraft fire suppression
• Airport Workers: Routine exposure during fire safety operations
• Industrial Fire Brigade Members: Regular contact during facility protection

These occupational groups face heightened cancer risks due to their repeated exposure to AFFF in both training and real-world applications.

These findings have prompted increased scrutiny of workplace safety protocols and protective measures for those regularly handling firefighting foam.

Legal Recourse for AFFF Exposure Victims

Victims of AFFF exposure have legal options available to pursue compensation through lawsuits against major manufacturers like 3M and DuPont.

These cases center around the manufacturers’ alleged knowledge of PFAS dangers in firefighting foam and their failure to warn users about potential health risks.

The litigation continues to expand as more evidence links PFAS exposure to serious health conditions.

Identifying Liable Parties in AFFF Lawsuits

The primary defendants in AFFF lawsuits include major chemical manufacturers and companies that produced, distributed, or sold PFAS-containing firefighting foam products.

These companies are being held accountable for their role in developing, manufacturing, and marketing AFFF products without adequate safety warnings about the known health risks of PFAS exposure.

Key parties that may be held liable include:

• Chemical Manufacturers: Companies like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours that produced PFAS chemicals
• Foam Manufacturers: Businesses that created and distributed AFFF products containing PFAS
• Equipment Suppliers: Companies that sold or distributed AFFF-related firefighting equipment
• Training Facilities: Organizations that used AFFF in firefighter training exercises

These parties face liability for their roles in exposing firefighters, military personnel, and others to dangerous PFAS chemicals through regular AFFF use and training exercises over many years.

Types of Claims in AFFF Litigation

AFFF lawsuits typically involve personal injury claims filed by individuals who developed serious health conditions after exposure to firefighting foam.

These cases focus on the manufacturers’ alleged negligence in producing and distributing products containing harmful PFAS chemicals without proper warnings about health risks.

Common types of AFFF lawsuit claims include:

• Product Liability: Claims that AFFF products were defectively designed or manufactured
• Failure to Warn: Allegations that manufacturers knew but didn’t disclose PFAS risks
• Negligence: Claims that companies failed to ensure product safety
• Environmental Contamination: Cases involving PFAS pollution of water supplies

These various claim types allow victims to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to AFFF exposure.

The litigation continues to evolve as new scientific evidence emerges about the connection between PFAS exposure and serious health conditions.

Potential Compensation in AFFF Lawsuits

The information and estimates presented on this page should not be interpreted as guaranteed settlement amounts for the AFFF Firefighting Foam MDL.

They represent generalized approximations based on the average costs of healthcare, personal damages, and ongoing care expenses, derived from historical settlements in similar cases.

Recoverable Damages in AFFF Settlements

Compensation in AFFF lawsuits is typically designed to cover a range of damages incurred by plaintiffs as a result of their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Potential recoverable damages include:

• Medical Expenses: Costs associated with treatment, hospitalization, and ongoing care for illnesses linked to AFFF exposure.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during or after treatment.
• Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical and emotional distress caused by the illness.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for the diminished ability to enjoy day-to-day activities due to chronic illness or impairment.
• Future Expenses: Estimated costs of ongoing or future medical care related to AFFF exposure.

These categories ensure that victims are fairly compensated for both tangible and intangible damages resulting from their exposure.

AFFF Lawsuit Tiers and Settlement Values

Cases are generally categorized into different tiers based on factors such as the nature of the injury, the duration of exposure to the toxic substances, and the overall impact on the plaintiffs’ lives.

This tiered system ensures that plaintiffs with similar claims receive fair and consistent treatment throughout the settlement process.

AFFF lawsuit tiers are estimated by legal experts to range between the following:

• Tier I: ($300,000 to $1,000,000 or more) – Injuries classified under Tier I of an MDL generally encompass the most critical medical conditions among plaintiffs, such as kidney or pancreatic cancer, which have arisen from substantial occupational exposure to AFFF.
• Tier II: ($100,000 to $300,000) – This category covers cases involving prolonged exposure and less aggressive cancer types, such as testicular or prostate cancer.
• Tier III: ($20,000 to $100,000) – The third tier of the AFFF lawsuit covers claims determined by the court to be the most moderate in terms of severity.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to AFFF or PFAS exposure, contact TruLaw for a free case evaluation to determine your eligibility for compensation in the AFFF lawsuit.

Our team is here to help you seek justice and recover the damages you deserve.

Preventive Measures and Safety Protocols

The growing awareness of the risks associated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighting foams has underscored the need for effective preventive measures.

Firefighters and organizations must take proactive steps to reduce exposure to these harmful substances while ensuring public safety.

This section highlights viable alternatives to PFAS-containing firefighting foams and provides best practices for minimizing exposure to AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam).

Alternatives to PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foams

The search for safer firefighting solutions has led to the development of PFAS-free alternatives.

These alternatives provide effective fire suppression while eliminating the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS.

Firefighting organizations must evaluate and adopt these options to align with evolving safety standards.

• Fluorine-Free Foams (FFF): Designed to mimic the effectiveness of traditional foams without relying on PFAS compounds.
• Dry Powder Suppressants: Effective for specific fire types, particularly in industrial settings, reducing the need for foam-based products.
• Water Mist Systems: An innovative approach that uses fine water droplets to cool and suffocate flames without the use of chemicals.
• Class A and B Foam Alternatives: Specially designed to combat particular fire types without incorporating harmful substances.

Transitioning to these alternatives requires careful evaluation of fire suppression needs, training, and equipment compatibility to ensure smooth implementation.

Best Practices for Minimizing AFFF Exposure

Firefighters and response teams who may still encounter AFFF must adopt strict safety measures to limit exposure.

This reduces the risk of long-term health effects associated with PFAS contamination.

• Wear Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure gear is PFAS-free and provides full coverage during firefighting operations.
• Implement Decontamination Procedures: Immediately clean skin, equipment, and PPE after exposure to AFFF.
• Regularly Monitor Exposure Levels: Conduct health screenings and environmental tests to identify potential PFAS contamination early.
• Use Containment Systems: Prevent runoff during training and active fire suppression to minimize environmental contamination.
• Limit Use of AFFF: Reserve PFAS-containing foams strictly for high-hazard situations where no alternatives are viable.

Adopting these practices not only safeguards personnel but also helps reduce environmental damage and legal liabilities.

Both transitioning to safer alternatives and implementing exposure reduction protocols require a commitment to ongoing education, investment, and adherence to evolving safety standards.

These measures protect the health of firefighters and the public while supporting sustainable firefighting practices.

TruLaw: Your Firefighting Foam Toxic Exposure Law Firm

AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who were exposed to toxic chemicals found in film forming foam AFFF and subsequently developed cancer or other adverse health effects.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the AFFF litigation.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your AFFF lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The AFFF attorneys at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: Our legal team has years of experience handling chemical exposure cases similar to the AFFF litigation, which helps us anticipate what we can expect to see in your case and the regulations we will be required to meet.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one were exposed to toxic firefighting foam and subsequently diagnosed with cancer or experiencing serious health risks, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit today.