If you are a military veteran or a firefighter who was exposed to AFFF, or firefighter foam, and have developed a serious health condition, contact Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC. We help represent injured people throughout the United States.
If you are a veteran, our attorneys can help you file a veterans disability claim, and if you are not a veteran, our attorneys can also help you file a lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable, while also, making sure you receive the financial compensation you need for recovery. Call us today at (800) 220-0984 for a free consultation.
What Is Firefighter Foam and How Is it Toxic?
Firefighting foam – also known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) – contains fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS that are toxic. In 1967, the Marine Corps and the Navy started requiring the use of AFFF to fight fuel fires, resulting in a majority of the PFAS contamination of groundwater on military bases. However, just as quickly as it was introduced, PFAS raised notable health concerns just within the Department of Defense. Scientists from the Navy and the Air Force began reporting the toxic effects of PFAS as early as the 1970s.
While it isn’t regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yet, many studies have been conducted, showing the potential health and environmental risks from PFAS chemicals. In 2016, the Assistant Secretary of Defense directed the military to immediately put an end to any uncontrolled environmental releases of AFFF, and to dispose properly of it. Recently, manufacturers like 3M, stopped making AFFF, after providing it to the military for decades.
What Are Side Effects of Firefighter Foam?
The two compounds of PFAS: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are found in everyday items, including clothing. In small amounts, these man-made chemicals aren’t particularly harmful. The impact of PFAS on a person’s health depends on three factors: the concentration, frequency and duration of exposure.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), if certain PFAS remain in the body for extended periods of time at high concentrations, they can cause the following health risks:
- Increased risk of asthma
- Increased risk of thyroid disease
- Increased risk of testicular, kidney and bladder cancers
- Increased cholesterol
- Fertility issues and pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia (sudden increase in blood pressure)
- Changes in fetal and child development
- Changes in the immune system
- Liver damage
If you are experiencing any of the health conditions listed above, seek medical assistance.
Contact An Attorney at the Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC Today
If you have been exposed to AFFF, or firefighter foam and as a result, are experiencing health problems, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance.
Contact Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, or schedule a free consultation here for the legal support and guidance you need. Our attorneys have significant experience handling cases such as these and provide representation for people anywhere within the United States, and will get back to you quickly.