AFFF Firefighting Foam and Thyroid Disease Risk

AFFF foam was long used by civilian and military firefighters to extinguish highly flammable liquid fires.

However, despite its effectiveness against chemical fires and its long shelf life, AFFF firefighting foam contains various chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that lead to health risks like thyroid disease.

AFFF firefighting foam and the increased risk of developing thyroid disease are well-documented.

Various studies corroborate the link between thyroid disease and chronic exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF foam.

For example, a 2018 meta-analysis looked into the correlation between exposure to PFAS chemicals and the development of thyroid disease and cancer.

Based on its findings, various studies had consistent data revealing a decrease in thyroid hormones in individuals exposed to PFAS chemicals.

Also, based on a 2020 review of old and new-generation PFAS chemicals, PFAS chemicals have thyroid-disrupting effects.

The study stated that pregnant women and developing children are the most at risk.

The thyroid-related health risks posed by toxic firefighting foam are hard to ignore, so agencies have looked into other at-risk populations.

In a report on PFAS and PFAS exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency identifies children and industrial workers to be the most at-risk populations.

Military firefighters were particularly in harm’s way due to their consistent exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam.

PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting Foam and Effects on Human Health

Chemical manufacturers and the U.S. Navy, who first approved AFFF firefighting foam for use, knew about its toxic effects for decades.

Urged by the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Defense finally submitted an official warning stating that the dangerous chemicals in AFFF present an increased risk for serious health problems and environmental contamination.

In several research studies, PFAS chemicals have been linked to an increased risk for cancer and other serious health problems.

With the number of chemicals used in firefighting foam, the health impacts of them are widespread.

Airport firefighters, military firefighters, chemical plant workers, and workers who transport and manufacture firefighting foam are all especially at risk.

Studies on the links between AFFF Exposure and Health Problems include the following:

• A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a statistically significant association between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure and an increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis.
• Another study published in the International Journal of Cancer found a positive association between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure and breast cancer.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFOA as a possible carcinogen and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS, stating that long-term exposure to these chemicals above certain levels could be harmful to human health.
• Researchers at the National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Australia) found that firefighters were more likely to have fluorinated surfactants in their bloodstream.
• Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley studied the carcinogenic effects of PFAS on women firefighters and office workers, finding that firefighters who reported using firefighting foam in the past year had higher levels of several PFAS in their bodies compared to those who did not.

Health Risks Associated with AFFF Exposure

Numerous health problems have been associated with AFFF exposure.

Health risks associated with exposure to PFAS containing firefighting foam include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Changes in liver enzymes
• Small decreases in infant birth weights
• Decreased vaccine response in children
• Increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women

What Is the AFFF Lawsuit?

The AFFF foam lawsuits are a collection of lawsuits filed by victims of exposure to PFAS chemicals in toxic firefighting foam.

The plaintiffs in the case consist of military firefighters who served in the U.S. Military’s facilities and installations, as well as airport workers, civilian firefighters, industrial workers, and more.

Plaintiffs are filing AFFF lawsuits against various AFFF manufacturers for the diseases they’ve developed from harmful exposure to PFAS chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam.

Due to the overwhelming number of AFFF firefighting foam cases, the AFFF litigation has been consolidated into the AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL)

The AFFF firefighting foam MDL has been filed in the U.S. District Court: District of South Carolina under MDL 2873.

Who Are the Defendants in the AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits?

The defendants in the AFFF firefighting foam cancer lawsuits include various AFFF manufacturers.

These manufacturers supplied AFFF firefighting foam products to various military bases and facilities, airports, and more.

Here are the defendants in the AFFF lawsuits:

• 3M
• DuPont
• Tyco Fire Products
• Chemours
• Corteva Inc.
• BASF Corp.
• Arkema Inc.
• Dynax Corp.
• Chubb National Foam Inc.
• UTC Fire & Security Americas
• AGC Chemicals Americas
• Kidde-Fenwal
• Clariant Corp.
• Carrier Global Corp.

As the proceedings unfold in the AFFF lawsuit, and more victims file their personal injury claims, more manufacturers may join the list of defendants.

If the lawsuits are successful, victims will be entitled to AFFF firefighting foam settlements.

Projected AFFF Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

The AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits are underway, but no AFFF lawsuit settlement has been awarded.

However, as experienced firefighting foam lawyers and product liability attorneys, we can estimate the settlement amounts plaintiffs can recover after a successful settlement.

Based on past product liability MDLs we’ve represented clients in, we estimate AFFF firefighter foam lawsuit settlement amounts to be anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000.

These are projections based on results in prior mass tort cases and are not a guarantee of an AFFF Lawsuit settlement by any means.

Also, how much you recover will depend on your case’s specifics — particularly your evidence of exposure and the illnesses you’ve developed.

Visit this page for more information on AFFF Lawsuit settlement amounts.

Filing an AFFF Thyroid Disease Lawsuit

Have you or a loved one developed thyroid disease from AFFF foam exposure?

If you have, then you may be eligible to join others filing AFFF lawsuits.

Find out now if you qualify for a claim.

Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out instantly if you are eligible for the lawsuits.

Experienced AFFF lawyers can help victims build their case, completing necessary steps of the legal process such as gathering evidence and assessing damages.

Gathering Evidence for AFFF Lawsuits

Evidence is extremely important when filing AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits.

Evidence gathering is a process you can begin on your own, but an experienced AFFF lawyer can help you with this step.

Evidence in AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits may include:

• Medical records
• Cancer diagnosis information
• Employment records
• History of AFFF exposure
• Personal and witness testimony
• Any other information validating exposure to firefighting foam

Damages in Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

As your attorneys, we can accurately assess all the losses you’ve incurred in the treatment and management of your thyroid disease.

The losses you’ve suffered will be both economic and non-economic — and we calculate both to maximize your firefighting foam lawsuit settlement.

Damages in AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress
• Lost earning ability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Future medical expenses and therapy costs
• Other compensatory and punitive damages

If you lost someone to health problems caused by toxic firefighting foam, you may be able to recover other damages, including:

• Loss of consortium
• Funeral expenses
• Therapy costs
• Punitive damages

Why Hiring Experienced Firefighting Foam Attorneys for Your Claim Is Important

Pursuing compensation from AFFF foam manufacturers isn’t something you should do alone.

You need an attorney to represent your interests, fight for a fair settlement, and protect your rights throughout the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.

Our law firm will use your evidence to establish liability on behalf of those responsible for your health problems.

Our experienced firefighting foam lawyers will use their expertise and experience in product liability and mass tort claims to ensure the best possible outcome for your AFFF case.

We accurately evaluate your losses and ensure that you get compensated for them.

With us in your corner, you can maximize your chances of recovering a fair settlement that compensates you for everything you’ve gone through.

TorHoerman Law: Your Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawyers

The AFFF lawyers at TorHoerman Law have won over $4 billion in prior mass tort cases and personal injury litigations.

Our AFFF lawyers are known for holding large corporations and chemical manufacturers liable for the harm they’ve caused and securing financial compensation for people harmed at no fault of their own.

If you or a loved one have developed cancer or other adverse health outcomes after being regularly exposed to firefighting foam, you may be eligible to file an AFFF lawsuit and seek financial compensation.

Contact our experienced firefighting foam lawyers today for a free consultation.

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

Toxic chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam have been linked to several health risks, including cancer diagnosis, neurological issues, and other diseases.

Victims of AFFF exposure deserve an adequate and fair AFFF settlement.

Reach out to us for more information on the AFFF Lawsuits and find out how our AFFF lawyers can help you seek justice.