Studies have established a link between firefighting foam products and a higher risk of cancer among the people who use them the most; firefighters, the armed forces, and airport workers. These dangerous chemicals have resulted in the widespread contamination of the environment, including drinking water.
Accordingly, many chemical companies manufacturing these firefighting foam products are being sued for causing a health hazard. They are also accused of manufacturing and selling them despite knowing their hazardous nature to make profits.
Firefighting Foam And Its Hazards
Firefighting foam is better than water for extinguishing certain types of fires. There are various kinds of firefighting foams with different chemical compositions to deal with different types of fires.
As good as the firefighting foams are for fighting various kinds of fires, the problem is that the active component per-and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS), has been proven toxic to humans. Multiple studies have linked firefighting foam to several types of cancer, including cancers of the kidneys, pancreas, testes, bladder, prostate, and breast, and found to cause leukemia and lymphoma.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the chemicals in PFAS accumulate inside the human body since they do not break down. According to Safer Chemicals, Congress has already told the FAA to allow commercial airports to use PFAS-free firefighting foams.
Exposure Of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)
While anyone may have been exposed to chemical firefighting foams, the people with the maximum exposure are those working as firefighters in civilian or defense services. The problem with AFFF is that it does not degrade on its own, and its effect can last for several thousands of years in a contaminated area. According to The Lake Law Firm, the chemicals may also leech into the groundwater affecting the local populations in areas where firefighters train regularly.
Compensation For Exposure To AFFF
While there is scientific evidence that firefighting foams are a health hazard that causes various cancers in humans, the manufacturers of these foams are accused of withholding scientific evidence pointing to the hazards posed by the chemicals and continuing to manufacture and sell them.
A large number of lawsuits have been instituted against several firefighting foam manufacturers, many of them, leading names in the industry. The main accusation against the manufacturers is that they knowingly suppressed the fact that the firefighting foam was hazardous to health in their pursuit of profits.
Compensation You Can Sue For
While the details vary from person to person, in general, you may qualify to receive reimbursement of your medical treatment bills, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, palliative care, etc.
You may also be eligible for compensation for loss of wages, pain, and suffering, as well as loss of valuable relationships. However, you need to be able to furnish definitive proof of your exposure to firefighting foams and expert opinion that your cancer is a result of such exposure.
Conclusion
If you believe your health has been compromised due to exposure to firefighting foam, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney firm. You will receive help in assessing the merits of your case, gathering evidence of your illness and its cause, and what to do to sue the companies responsible.
