Firefighters have had adverse health problems recently because AFFF firefighting foam contains harmful chemicals known as per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that can cause cancer and other health problems. A recent study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) discovered that firefighter turnout gear, the protective gear they wear while on the job, also contains PFAS. Many firefighters have filed product liability lawsuits to hold manufacturers of AFFF firefighting foam, such as 3M Company, Dupont, and Tyco Fire Products, accountable for their negligence. This recent revelation about PFAS in more fire gear proves that firefighters have been exposed to these dangerous chemicals that can put them at risk of suffering adverse health conditions like kidney cancer, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer.
What are Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances?
The basis for the recent AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits is the presence of dangerous chemicals that can expose firefighters to significant health problems. Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals used in various consumer products, such as cookware, cosmetics, and fabrics. The prevalent usage of PFAS has to do with their ability to resist water, grease, and oil. Despite their helpful uses in consumer products, PFAS are dangerous chemicals that can cause significant health problems. They are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they can persist in the environment and people’s bodies for decades. When a person is exposed to PFAS, the chemicals can combine with proteins in the body and cause cancer and other adverse health conditions.Why are PFAS Used in AFFF Firefighting Foam?
PFAS are used in AFFF firefighting foam because they help to contain fires in tight spaces. When mixed with water, these substances can create a cooling film that can engulf a fire, cut off its oxygen, extinguish it, and prevent the fire from relighting. The substances' heat-resistant qualities allow them to act as a suppressant in firefighting foam that helps fight fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also imposes a standard for testing firefighting gear that requires PFAS. The testing standard established in 1971 requires all firefighting equipment to pass the Ultraviolet Degradation Test. Firefighting foam cannot pass this obscure test without the presence of PFAS. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) filed a lawsuit with the NFPA on March 16th, 2023, for imposing and keeping this dangerous testing standard for firefighting equipment.What Health Problems Can PFAS in AFFF Cause?
Most people contain trace amounts of PFAS in their bodies, but overwhelming exposure to these dangerous chemicals can cause significant health problems. People can become exposed to PFAS through skin contact and breathing in the substances persisting in the environment. PFAS exposure has been credibly linked to immune suppression, changes in liver function, and lower birth weight for children. Firefighters and civilians exposed to large quantities of PFAS can experience adverse health conditions like increased cholesterol levels, liver enzyme changes, decreased vaccine response for children, and a high risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. They can also cause multiple forms of cancer, such as:- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma