Summary:
- The toxic chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam can cause skin and eye irritation that leads to itchy skin, rashes, and vision problems
- AFFF exposure can cause respiratory problems, such as trouble breathing, constant coughing and wheezing, and chest pains
- People can suffer gastrointestinal issues when exposed to AFFF firefighting foam or when they consume AFFF-contaminated food and water
- AFFF exposure can cause cancer because of toxic PFAS in the firefighting foam, leading to cancer symptoms like weakness, jaundiced skin, and weight loss
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is the industry-standard firefighting foam used by military and civilian units, but exposure to it can cause significant health problems. Military personnel, firefighters, airport workers, and civilians can all become exposed to AFFF and suffer severe health problems, such as thyroid, bladder, kidney, lung, and testicular cancer.
Some symptoms that can arise when someone suffers AFFF exposure can include skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological problems. They can also experience the symptoms associated with the form of cancer they suffer from. People who suffer exposure can join the consolidated AFFF lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages.
Skin and Eye Irritation Caused by AFFF Exposure
People who suffer from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) exposure can experience immediate symptoms that indicate an issue with their health. The dangerous chemicals in AFFF, called per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can cause symptoms when exposed to someone’s skin.
Exposure to AFFF can cause skin and eye irritation. If someone suffers skin contact with AFFF, they can experience redness, itching, and general skin irritation that can make them uncomfortable. Eye exposure to AFFF can cause vision problems, as the chemicals in AFFF can irritate the eyes and affect their functionality.
Exposure to AFFF Can Result in Respiratory Problems
People exposed to the toxic chemicals in AFFF can also suffer from respiratory problems. These can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Exposure to AFFF can cause respiratory problems because of the vapors in the firefighting foam. They can get into the body and irritate the respiratory system.
Issues with the respiratory system caused by AFFF exposure can cause someone to suffer from breathing difficulties. It can be difficult for someone to catch their breath because of the irritation of the respiratory system. This can affect someone’s quality of life, as constantly having to catch their breath and struggle to breathe can complicate every moment of someone’s day.
Gastrointestinal Issues Caused by Exposure to AFFF Firefighting Foam
AFFF exposure can happen through direct contact with the firefighting foam or by consuming contaminated food or water. Consuming food and water contaminated by AFFF can cause gastrointestinal issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. AFFF exposure can affect digestion and cause significant health problems.
Those who consume AFFF-contaminated food and water should see a doctor immediately for medical treatment. The gastrointestinal problems presented by AFFF exposure can affect someone long-term and lead to pain and suffering. Medical professionals can offer treatment to prevent chronic and life-threatening gastrointestinal issues.
AFFF Exposure Symptoms Stemming from Cancer
Exposure to PFAS through AFFF and firefighting equipment can cause someone to experience cancer. Some forms of cancer caused by AFFF exposure include thyroid, bladder, lung, kidney, and breast cancer. People exposed to AFFF can experience symptoms that vary depending on the type of cancer that they suffer from.
Some symptoms that can result from cancer caused by AFFF include fatigue, weight loss, lumps on the body, fevers, headaches, jaundiced skin, and vision or hearing problems. Those exposed to AFFF who experience cancer symptoms should seek immediate medical attention to prevent the potentially life-threatening illness from getting worse.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit
At The Russo Firm, our product liability lawyers can use their experience handling dangerous product lawsuits to help you join the consolidated AFFF lawsuit. They understand product liability essentials and can use their expertise to put you in the best position to recover fair compensation for damages caused by AFFF exposure.
Our product liability attorneys understand the impact of AFFF exposure and how cancer can affect someone’s life. We wish to help you hold AFFF manufacturers accountable for their negligence and assist in pursuing economic and non-economic damages. Contact us for a free AFFF case evaluation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits
What Health Conditions Can Result from AFFF Exposure?
Firefighters, military workers, airport personnel, and civilians can also become exposed to PFAS in AFFF firefighting foam. The dangerous chemicals in the firefighting foam can cause cancer, as they can enter the body, bind to protein structures, and cause cancerous impact.
The following are some medical conditions that can result from AFFF exposure:
- Thyroid cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Leukemia
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Liver cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Rectal cancer
People who suffer cancer from AFFF exposure can join the consolidated AFFF lawsuit. They can pursue compensation to pay for the economic fallout and emotional suffering caused by their cancer diagnosis.
Who Can Qualify to Join the AFFF Lawsuit?
Anyone who works in an occupation that has to deal with AFFF or has suffered the above health conditions from exposure to AFFF can join the mass tort. The AFFF multi-district litigation (MDL) is currently pending in the District of South Carolina before Judge Richard M. Gergel, with over 6,000 lawsuits consolidated together.
You could qualify to join the lawsuit and possibly benefit from an AFFF settlement if exposure to AFFF caused a severe health condition. Those who wish to join must be able to prove they were exposed to PFAS in AFFF firefighting foam and suffered cancer or another adverse health condition because of the AFFF exposure.
Why Should You Hire a Product Liability Lawyer After AFFF Exposure?
Hiring a lawyer after exposure to AFFF is vital in pursuing compensation for damages. Joining the AFFF MDL can be complicated for someone without product liability lawsuit experience, so having someone with expertise in holding manufacturers accountable for dangerous products can help.
An experienced product liability lawyer can help with your AFFF lawsuit by calculating damages, filing paperwork to join the MDL, collecting evidence, and sharing resources with other lawyers. They can also let you know about AFFF MDL updates and help negotiate a global settlement to pay for your specific damages.
