Firefighting Foam & PFAS-What You Need to Know as a Veteran (June 2023 Update)

As a veteran, you may have been exposed to toxic firefighting foam (AFFF) and potentially hazardous chemicals known as PFAS.

In this blog post, we will take a look at what AFFF and PFAS are, how they affect veterans, and how you can participate in an AFFF lawsuit.

What are AFFF and PFAS?

If you are a veteran, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

AFFF is a type of firefighting foam used to fight petroleum-based fires; it has been used since the 1970s.

It contains PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are man-made chemicals found in industries such as aerospace and automotive that make products more resistant to heat, water, oil, etc.

These chemicals can leach into soil, groundwater, or surface water when improperly disposed of, leading to environmental contamination.

PFAS have been linked with various potential health risks, such as an increased risk for certain types of cancer in humans exposed through drinking contaminated water, decreased fertility, and increased cholesterol levels, among other issues.

While further research needs to be done on this connection, veterans should take all possible precautions to avoid exposure if they think they might have been exposed due to any military-related activity.

The Veterans Administration is currently researching whether PFAS exposure among veterans could be linked to an increased risk for specific health conditions, such as thyroid disease or testicular cancer, but no definitive conclusions have yet been drawn from these studies.

For veterans who may have already been exposed due to activities related to their military service, there are legal options available, such as filing a lawsuit against companies responsible for manufacturing AFFF containing PFAS, such as 3M or DuPont.

How Do AFFF and PFAS Affect Veterans?

For veterans, exposure to AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) and PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can have serious health consequences.

AFFF is a type of firefighting foam that was heavily used in military operations and contains PFAS, which are man-made chemicals used in many products that can be found in the environment, including drinking water.

Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to various health problems, including cancer, thyroid issues, and other diseases.

List of Conditions Caused by PFAS Exposure

A study in 2004 identified increased risks of the following due to fire fighting foam:

• Prostate Cancer/Testicular Cancer
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Pancreatic cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer
• Thyroid cancer

In 2012, Emory University showed an increased risk to the following diseases due to PFOS and PFAS:

• Multiple Myelomas
• Mesothelioma
• Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
• Kidney Cancer and non-cancer kidney diseases

The EPA has also linked PFOS and PFOAs to:

• Low birth weights
• Accelerated puberty
• Skeletal variations
• Liver effects such as tissue damage
• Immune effects such as antibody production and immunities
• Thyroid effects
• Cholesterol changes

Veterans who may have been exposed to higher levels of PFAS due to their use of AFFF on fires should be aware of the potential dangers associated with this type of exposure.

If you believe you have been exposed to AFFF or PFAS as a veteran, it is important for you to seek medical advice right away so that your doctor can conduct tests for potential health risks due to long-term exposure.

The Department of Defense is actively working on ways to reduce the use of these foam products in order to protect veterans from potential risks associated with prolonged exposure.

In addition, the VA provides resources, such as informational brochures, which are designed to help veterans understand their rights when it comes to managing potential risks associated with PFAS exposure, such as filing lawsuits against manufacturers or seeking compensation if they believe they may have suffered harm due to their exposures while serving our country.

What military sites were contaminated with fire fighting foam PFOS, PFOA, and/or PFAS?

In March 2020, the DoD released new data showing that more than 600 military sites have been contaminated with PFAS, far more than previously disclosed.

The biggest clusters of facilities known for their elevated environmental PFAS are in Oklahoma and Colorado.

Here is an interactive map of all of the military PFAS locations that are suspected or confirmed as of 2023.

While the military personnel is replacing the older version of its foam, the new version still makes use of PFAS, a shorter chemical chain of the PFOS compound, which exits the body faster but still accumulates in the blood and other tissues.

It also does not break down in the environment just as the older chemicals.

How Can I Participate in an AFFF Lawsuit?

To qualify for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits, a veteran must have a service-connected disability, which can range from anything like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to cancers caused by toxic exposure.

Military who believe they are suffering from a disease or condition caused by exposure to PFAS, may want to file a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit to recover compensation and benefits needed to pay their medical bills and help their family.

If you believe any of the following are true, you should consider filing a lawsuit:

• Worked as a firefighter
• Exposed to toxic firefighting foams
• Drank water from a contaminated military site

Like filing for VA disability benefits, you must satisfy the elements of service connection in order to receive benefits as a veteran. These include:

• a current diagnosed disability
• military records
• medical records that state the link (nexus) between your diagnosis and PFASA exposure

Civilian firefighters are not eligible for compensation from the VA because they did not serve in the military.

In addition, you can also file a lawsuit against the company who manufactured the hazardous product.

This will not affect your rights to disability compensation from the VA!

Some of the firefighting foam manufacturers and distributors include:

• 3M Company
• Ansul^®
• Chemguard, Inc.
• DuPont™
• Dynax Corporation
• National Foam
• Tyco Fire Products

3M Company, Ansul and National Foam have provided AFFF to the U.S. military.

If you believe you were affected by AFFF exposure while serving, you can contact the team at Hill & Ponton for more information on what to do next.

Let us help get you the benefits you deserve.

Fill out a case evaluation form for more information.