For decades, firefighters have been exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a substance used to put out fires and keep them from reigniting. While this substance is highly effective at fighting fires, it comes at a big price: the health of the people who use it and come into contact with it.
AFFF contains PFAS chemicals, which are classified as carcinogens. PFAS chemicals are easily absorbed by the body, and once absorbed, they remain inside the body indefinitely. The more a person is exposed to AFFF, the more PFAS they absorb and the greater their risk of developing cancer.
What Cancers Are Linked to AFFF Exposure?
Some of the most common cancers linked to AFFF exposure include:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Firefighters Aren’t the Only People Exposed to AFFF
Firefighters are among the most likely people to come into direct contact with AFFF due to the nature of their jobs, but other people come into contact with it, too. It’s commonly used at airports, chemical plants, military bases and facilities, and by highway emergency response crews.
Unfortunately, AFFF doesn’t just affect people who handle it or are near it due to their occupations. It can also affect the general public.
When AFFF is used, spilled, or disposed of improperly, it can comminate groundwater and municipal water supplies. People who drink or are exposed to water contaminated by AFFF can develop serious health problems, including the cancers listed above.
Michigan Has Retrieved More Than 30,000 Gallons of Toxic AFFF
Thankfully, the State of Michigan has worked hard to reduce the risk of AFFF poses to the general public and people in certain occupations. In June 2020, MLive reported that state officials collected more than 30,000 gallons of AFFF from municipal fire stations and commercial airports throughout the state.
While this, along with other bills requiring that AFFF containing PFAS be phased out over the coming years, may help protect future generations from the dangers of these toxic substances, the damage has already been done for countless Michigan residents who were regularly exposed to it for years or even decades.
We’re Here to Help with Your AFFF Cancer Claim
Were you or someone you love diagnosed with cancer after exposure to AFFF? If so, we want to help. The Michigan defective product lawyers at Fieger Law will fight to get you full and fair compensation for all of your cancer-related damages, including your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact us today for a free consultation.