Firefighters run into burning buildings when everyone else runs out. They’re our heroes.
But there’s a hidden danger you’d never expect: the very foam meant to extinguish those flames. The Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). It is a firefighting foam loaded with PFAS, toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other serious illnesses. Not only firefighters, but more than 97% of people in the U.S. contain PFAS in their bodies.
The companies that made this stuff knew the danger, but they stayed quiet. Well, enough is enough, firefighters now refuse to be silent victims anymore. A wave of AFFF lawsuits is sweeping the nation, demanding justice for those harmed.
They’re forcing a complete overhaul of fire safety, sparking a revolution in fire safety to find safer foams and implement stricter rules to protect our first responders.
Want to know how? Keep reading this blog.
The Hidden Hazard Of Aqueous Film Forming Foam
Imagine a firefighter rushes into a blazing fire, gear heavy, smoke stinging their eyes. They blast the flames with AFFF foam, that thick white substance that smothers the fire.
Job done, they head back to the station, unaware they’ve just been doused in toxic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It is also known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human bodies.
Twelve PFAS chemicals are looked at and tracked the most. There are two PFAS chemicals – perfluorooctane sulfonic (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) — found higher in firefighters.
That’s the hidden hazard of AFFF – it’s in the drills, the gear, and even the smell of a firehouse.
Scientists say these “forever chemicals” never break down, and they’re linked to really scary stuff: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid problems, and the list goes on.
And the worst part? It can take years for this damage to show up. Some guys are just now getting sick from the AFFF they used decades ago.
You can imagine why firefighters feel betrayed.
Companies making AFFF knew this stuff was dangerous, but they wanted their money. They put profits over the very people who put their lives on the line for us. This is downright infuriating.
But you know what? Firefighters don’t sit there and take it. They fight back, and that’s where things start to change.
AFFF Lawsuits As The Catalyst
Firefighters are brave and organized. They’ve got powerful unions and lawyers on their side. And that’s how they’re holding these huge chemical companies accountable.
In February last month, 176 new cases were added to the AFFF MDL, resulting in a total of 7,170 cases, as per a recent TorHoerman Law update. Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) is designed to handle multiple lawsuits with similar issues, facts, or defendants in the United States.
Though the money helps when you’re dealing with crazy medical bills, AFFF lawsuits aren’t just about getting a payout. These lawsuits make a statement: nobody gets to hide the dangers of their products, not even if they’re a big, fancy corporation.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting. These lawsuits have caused a huge ripple effect. Suddenly, everyone’s talking about PFAS – it’s in the newspapers, and even your aunt who gets all her news from Facebook knows about it now. That puts a ton of pressure on politicians and safety watchdogs to do something.
We are already seeing major changes. Some places are starting to ban the worst types of AFFF and PFAS. They’re making super strict rules on how it’s stored and used.
Companies are racing to invent new foams like fluorine-free foams that work just as well but without the poison. Why? Because they know if they don’t, the lawsuits will bury them, and nobody wants to buy their products anymore.
How AFFF Lawsuits Are Forcing A Safer Future
Justice And Accountability:
Firefighters battling cancer for AFFF deserve help. So do their families. While no amount of money can make up for what they’re going through. The AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts can ensure they’re not bankrupted by medical bills on top of everything else.
But it’s more than individual cases. Companies will pay a heavy price if they knowingly put workers at risk. Hopefully, those penalties make others think twice before cutting corners on safety.
Investing In The Future
Lawsuit settlements, some reaching millions and even billions of dollars, provide serious funds to develop new foams. Ones that douse fires fast, but without the toxic baggage of PFAS.
Companies like 3M and others agree to pay $10.5 billion to resolve Municipal water contamination claims. This money could also upgrade firefighter gear to better block AFFF exposure. It could also train them in the safest handling methods.
No More Secrets:
For too long, companies treated the contents of their products like some sort of state secret. Lawsuits can force them to come clean with what’s in AFFF and other chemicals they use. It’s about firefighters having a right to know the risks they face on the job.
Cleaning Up, Inside & Out:
Fire stations and training grounds are some of these places are contaminated with AFFF residue from years of use. Lawsuits can pay for the clean-up, so firefighters and their communities aren’t breathing in those toxins anymore.
In conclusion, they say firefighters charge into danger. Well, they’re charging into the courtroom too. Thanks to their courage in filing AFFF lawsuits, we’re seeing a shift.
Yeah, it’s a long battle, and there’s more work to do. But these lawsuits are lighting a path toward a day when firefighters put on their gear without also putting their health at risk. A day when they can focus on saving lives, instead of fearing their own. And frankly, we owe it to them to make that day a reality.