Chicago
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Edwardsville
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Premises Liability
St. Louis
Case Types We Handle
Personal Injuries
Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Bicycle Accidents
Construction Accidents
Nursing Home Abuse
Wrongful Death
Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
Dangerous Drugs
Defective Products
Chemical Exposure

AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit FAQ: What Is AFFF? [2024 Guide]

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit. Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

What is AFFF and How is it Dangerous?

AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit FAQ: What is AFFF?

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), was a widely used firefighting foam that has since been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer.

On this page, we’ll discuss that question in further depth, the long-term effects of AFFF exposure, who qualifies to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit, and much more.

Intro to the AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), also known as Class B firefighting foam, was used to fight flammable liquid fires started by class B materials such as oil, gasoline, and jet fuel.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam was widely used for fire suppression in industries dealing with flammable liquids.

Used at airports, military bases, factories and plants, and in municipal fire departments, a large amount of people handled AFFF routinely.

AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit FAQ What Is AFFF; AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit; What is AFFF; AFFF Lawsuit; AFFF Lawsuits; AFFF Lawyers; Firefighting Foam Lawsuit; Firefighting Foam Lawyers; What Is AFFF Firefighting Foam Used For?; What Are The Long-Term Effects Of AFFF Exposure; Health Problems And Cancers Linked To PFAS Contamination; AFFF Cancer Lawsuit_ Do You Qualify

Over the years, new restrictions and regulations were placed on the use of AFFF due to health concerns.

Scientific evidence has shown that AFFF exposure increases a person’s risk for developing cancer.

If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF and subsequently developed cancer, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Cancer Lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

Our AFFF lawyers are reviewing firefighting foam cancer claims and assessing eligibility to join the litigation.

Reach out to our law firm for more information. We’re here to help.

Table of Contents

What is AFFF Foam Made Of?

AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit FAQ What Is AFFF

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is water-based, combining several chemicals to produce a foaming effect that suppresses highly flammable fires.

Aqueous film forming foam may be manufactured with fluorosurfactants, which may contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) make up the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals”.

Despite some variations, AFFF firefighting foam’s chemical makeup includes the components listed below.

Water

Water forms the base of AFFF firefighting foam.

It’s the primary extinguishing agent for its ability to absorb heat from fires and cool the fuel surfaces.

Synthetic Surfactants

Some AFFF products contain synthetic surfactants, which are responsible for the foam-forming properties of the solution.

These surfactants lower the surface tension of water.

By decreasing water’s surface tension, surfactants allow water to spread as a thin film across the fuel surface.

As a result, the firefighting foam extinguishes fires on any scale.

Fluorosurfactants

AFFF Firefighting Foam may also incorporate fluorosurfactants, which are surfactant compounds that contain fluorine atoms.

These atoms enable the firefighting foam to spread wider, facilitating large-scale firefighting efforts.

Firefighting Foam Stabilizers

Foam stabilizers help maintain the condition of the firefighting foam for long periods.

These stabilizers act as preservatives to keep the foam from breaking down or drying up too quickly.

Thickening Agents

Many brands of AFFF firefighting foam contain thickening agents to improve the longevity of the firefighting foam.

They increase the viscosity of the firefighting foam solution, enabling the firefighting foam to stick to vertical surfaces that are ablaze.

How Does AFFF Work?

AFFF firefighting foam works by creating a thin layer on top of flammable liquids, like gasoline or oil, which stops the release of dangerous vapors and cuts off the oxygen that fuels the fire.

This helps put out the fire. The foam also cools down the hot surfaces, making it harder for the fire to start again.

In short, AFFF firefighting foam helps control and extinguish liquid fires by forming a barrier, reducing oxygen, and cooling down the heat.

What Is AFFF Firefighting Foam Used For?

AFFF Foam Cancer Lawsuit

AFFF firefighting foam has been primarily used for extinguishing flammable liquid fires, particularly those involving hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel, oil, and jet fuel.

Due to the concerns surrounding the environmental and health risks associated with AFFF, governments and regulatory agencies have taken significant actions to phase out its use.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) in 2020, which limited the manufacture, import, and processing of certain long-chain PFAS chemicals used in AFFF.

Below are industries in which AFFF foam has been historically used.

Industrial Facilities and Chemical Plants

Workers may suffer AFFF foam exposure in industrial facilities that contain, transport, and manufacture flammable liquids.

These facilities can include refineries, chemical plants, and other similar manufacturing facilities.

Workers responsible for transporting firefighting foam may also be at risk of exposure.

Airports

Fuel fires in airports can occur.

For this, airport and military firefighters use AFFF firefighting foam to extinguish jet fuel fires after aviation accidents, fueling operations, and maintenance procedures that have gone wrong.

Military Applications

Military personnel may also use AFFF firefighting foam for fire suppression.

During accidents involving military vehicles and aircraft, military personnel and firefighters might use AFFF foam to put out fires quickly.

Firefighting Services

Fire departments and emergency responders may utilize AFFF firefighting foam as part of their fire suppression arsenal to tackle flammable liquid fires effectively.

What are the Long-Term Effects of AFFF Exposure?

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of AFFF Exposure

Some brands of firefighting foam contain toxic chemicals, putting those exposed to AFFF at an increased risk to develop cancer.

The scientific evidence of AFFF/PFAS exposure and its effects on human health is growing.

New studies show that the dangerous chemicals found in firefighting foam contribute to an increased risk for cancer, thyroid disease, and other serious health issues.

One agency that investigated the link between cancer and AFFF firefighter foam is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Based on the EPA’s findings, AFFF firefighting foam has several components that are known carcinogens.

The National Cancer Institute found that PFAS exposure increased a person’s risk of developing cancer, from testicular cancer to kidney cancer.

The same study also linked exposure to PFAS to thyroid cancer and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Health Problems And Cancers Linked To PFAS Contamination

What Types of Cancer are Caused by AFFF?

PFAS in AFFF firefighting foam can lead to several types of cancers.

Below are some of the cancers associated with prolonged AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS exposure:

Kidney Cancer

Many victims who have filed AFFF cancer lawsuits developed kidney cancer from exposure to toxic firefighting foam.

While the causative association between kidney cancer and PFAS exposure remains unclear, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen a link between kidney cancer and prolonged exposure to PFAS.

Testicular Cancer

Prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals can also predispose a person to testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer was among the cancers the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry identified in patients exposed to PFAS.

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is another type of cancer found in patients exposed to PFAS for long periods.

There are many theories about how PFAS causes liver cancer in patients.

One theory backed by animal studies suggests that PFAS’ effect on liver enzymes causes injuries to the liver.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer diagnosis has also been linked to PFAS exposure.

Scientific evidence has found that colon cancer diagnosis is prevalent among a population of people exposed to PFAS chemicals.

Prostate Cancer

The National Cancer Institute found that high exposure to PFAS can elevate serum PFAS levels to the point where they can cause prostate cancer.

Other Cancers Linked to AFFF

Other cancers linked to PFAS exposure and AFFF exposure include:

Other Potential Health Risks Associated with AFFF

Other potential health risks of AFFF exposure or PFAS exposure include the following:

  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Asthma
  • Fertility issues
  • Liver disease
  • Thyroid disease
  • Thyroid and sex hormone disruption
  • Immune system problems and immune suppression issues

What To Do If You’ve Developed Cancer From AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure

The first thing you must do if you’ve developed cancer is to first seek medical care.

Seeking medical care enables you to start your physical recovery, which should be the priority of every victim.

If you’ve been exposed to AFFF, you may be eligible file an AFFF lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.

To file an AFFF lawsuit, you will need your medical records.

These will show your cancer diagnosis and the treatment you have received.

You must also gather any relevant employment records.

After you have gathered and retained your records, your next step would be to contact a firefighting foam attorney for a case evaluation.

AFFF Cancer Lawsuit: Do You Qualify?

AFFF Cancer Lawsuit_ Do You Qualify

Victims who have been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to AFFF are filing firefighter foam lawsuits against manufacturers.

AFFF lawsuits seek to compensate cancer victims for the negligent acts of AFFF manufacturers, who chose to use dangerous chemicals in the production of firefighting foam.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to toxic fire fighting foams and subsequently diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to join others in filing AFFF Lawsuits.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

Reach out to us for legal assistance on your AFFF claim. We’re here to help.

Potential Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

No settlements have been reached in the AFFF litigation as of yet, but lawyers estimate that AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts may fall between $40,000 to $300,000 or more depending on the strength of the case and other individual factors.

These settlement figures are by no means a guarantee of financial compensation in the AFFF Lawsuit, they are merely projections based on knowledge of prior mass tort cases and settlements for cancer diagnosis.

TorHoerman Law: Your AFFF Lawyers

TorHoerman Law’s team of experienced firefighting foam lawyers are representing those facing complications due to PFAS and firefighting foam exposure.

Our personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of victims across all 50 states take on hundreds of companies that put workers, community members, and consumers at risk.

Over the past 11 years, our law firm has helped clients gain over $4 Billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements to help them get back on the path to recovery.

If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF and subsequently developed cancer, you may be eligible to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Firefighter Foam Lawsuit instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Toxic Chemicals are Present in Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)?

    Some brands of firefighting foam may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

    PFAS chemicals are often referred to as “forever chemicals”.

    PFAS are characterized by their persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and potential adverse effects on human health and the environment.

  • Which Firefighting Foams Are Dangerous?

    Class-B aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) are dangerous and contain PFAS chemicals that have been linked to a number of adverse health risks.

  • Who Is At Risk For Exposure To Firefighting Foam?

    People who may have been regularly exposed to firefighting foam are typically people whose work duties include using or transporting firefighting foam products.

    Individuals are also may suffer PFAS exposure through contaminated drinking water.

    People who are most likely to suffer from occupational exposure to PFAS in firefighting foam include:

    • Airport and military firefighters
    • Municipal firefighters
    • Industrial workers in oil refineries and other similar facilities
    • Those who worked on a flight deck
    • Those who worked for AFFF Manufacturers
    • Those who transported AFFF Firefighting Foam
    • Those who worked for an incinerator facility disposing of firefighting foam

  • What Are AFFF's Effects on the Human Body?

    The toxic chemicals in some firefighting foam products are linked to certain types of cancer and other serious health issues.

    Cancers linked to toxic firefighting foam include:

    • Bladder cancer
    • Breast cancer
    • Colorectal cancer
    • Kidney cancer
    • Leukemia
    • Liver cancer
    • Mesothelioma
    • Pancreatic cancer
    • Prostate cancer
    • Testicular cancer

  • Is there an AFFF Class Action Lawsuit?

    No, there is not an AFFF class action lawsuit for cancer diagnosis and other injuries related to AFFF exposure.

    The firefighting foam lawsuit for injured victims is a multidistrict litigation (MDL).

    Pending AFFF Lawsuits are consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), a special federal legal procedure designed to speed up the process of mass tort lawsuits.

    When a large number of people have been injured by the same thing, the federal government allows for the filing of all lawsuits into one singular district court.

    This district court handles all legal proceedings and ensures consistency of decision making.

    The AFFF MDL is located in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina.

  • How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Firefighting Foam Attorney?

    Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means that our Firefighting Foam Attorneys DO NOT charge for their legal representation unless your case wins.

    If you are not awarded a settlement for your AFFF Lawsuit, you do not have to pay a cent in legal fees.

Written By:
Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

About TorHoerman Law

At TorHoerman Law, we believe that if we continue to focus on the people that we represent, and continue to be true to the people that we are – justice will always be served.

Do you believe you’re entitled to compensation?

Use our Instant Case Evaluator to find out in as little as 60 seconds!

$495 Million
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit

In this case, we obtained a verdict of $495 Million for our client’s child who was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis after consuming baby formula manufactured by Abbott Laboratories.

$20 Million
Toxic Tort Injury

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.

$103.8 Million
COX-2 Inhibitors Injury

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.

$4 Million
Traumatic Brain Injury

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.

$2.8 Million
Defective Heart Device

In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.

Guides & Resources
Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

You can learn more about the AFFF Lawsuit by visiting any of our pages listed below:

All
FAQs
Injuries & Conditions
Legal Help
Settlements & Compensation
Other Resources

Share

Related Posts

What Our Clients Have To Say