The U.S. Navy has relied on Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) for decades to combat fires involving jet fuel and other flammable liquids aboard ships, airfields, and bases.
Developed in the 1960s with heavy involvement from 3M, AFFF was adopted across all military branches for its effectiveness in quickly extinguishing high-intensity fires.
Navy aircraft carriers, air stations, and shipyards used AFFF extensively for both emergency fire suppression and routine training exercises, leading to widespread exposure.
Navy firefighters and other personnel frequently handled the foam, often without protective gear or knowledge of its dangers.
The foam contains toxic PFAS chemicals, which accumulate in the body and environment, increasing long-term health risks.
Despite evidence of harm, AFFF continued to be a staple of fire safety protocols across naval operations for decades.
This prolonged exposure has left thousands of Navy service members at risk of serious illnesses linked to PFAS contamination.
Common Sources of Navy AFFF Exposure:
- Firefighting operations involving jet fuel and aircraft fires
- Regular training exercises on naval bases and ships
- Fire suppression systems on Navy aircraft carriers and submarines
- Direct handling of AFFF by Navy firefighters and emergency response teams
- Contaminated drinking water at naval installations due to toxic PFAS chemicals
- Accidental spills and leaks during storage, transport, and disposal
Firefighting Operations Involving Jet Fuel and Aircraft Fires
AFFF was a critical tool for Navy firefighters responding to aircraft fires and emergencies involving jet fuel aboard ships and airfields.
The foam creates a rapid, smothering barrier that suppressed flames and prevented re-ignition, making it essential for fire safety in high-risk environments.
During these operations, Navy personnel were routinely exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals through direct skin contact, inhalation, and contaminated runoff.
Many service members worked in enclosed spaces, such as hangars and below-deck compartments, where AFFF exposure was more concentrated.
Over years of repeated use, this exposure significantly increased the risk of developing serious health conditions linked to PFAS contamination.
Training Exercises
For decades, the U.S. Navy incorporated Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) into regular training exercises to prepare personnel for real-life firefighting scenarios involving jet fuel and other flammable liquids.
These exercises, conducted on naval bases and ships, often involved the extensive use of AFFF to simulate high-intensity fires, providing sailors and firefighters with hands-on experience in fire suppression techniques.
However, such routine drills led to repeated exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals found in AFFF, as participants frequently came into direct contact with the foam or inhaled its fumes during training.
The inhalation of AFFF foam particulates can also occur when it is sprayed to extinguish fires, leading to the potential inhalation of aerosolized foam particles.
Over time, this consistent exposure raised significant health concerns, as PFAS compounds are known to accumulate in the body and have been linked to various cancers and other serious illnesses.
Navy Aircraft Carriers and Submarines
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) has been integral to the fire suppression systems on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and submarines for decades, effectively combating flammable liquid fires.
These systems utilize AFFF to rapidly extinguish fires involving jet fuel and other flammable substances, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment.
On aircraft carriers, AFFF is distributed through extensive networks of pipes and sprinkler systems, protecting flight decks, hangar bays, and fuel storage areas.
Similarly, submarines are equipped with AFFF systems to address potential fires in confined spaces, where rapid suppression is critical.
Direct Handling by Navy Firefighters and Emergency Response Teams
Navy firefighters and emergency response teams regularly handled AFFF during fire suppression efforts, training exercises, and equipment maintenance, leading to frequent and prolonged exposure.
These personnel often worked directly with the foam, applying it to fires involving jet fuel and flammable liquids without full awareness of its toxic forever chemicals.
Without adequate protective measures, many absorbed PFAS through skin contact, inhalation of aerosolized foam, and ingestion via contaminated water sources.
Over time, this exposure significantly increased the risk of adverse health effects, including cancers, thyroid disease, and immune system disorders.
PFAS Contamination at Military Bases
For decades, AFFF use at naval installations led to PFAS contamination of groundwater, exposing service members and their families to harmful chemicals through drinking water.
Military bases relied on AFFF for fire suppression and training exercises, allowing toxic runoff to seep into local water supplies.
Testing at multiple Navy bases, including those listed as EPA Superfund sites, has revealed dangerously high levels of PFAS in water sources relied upon by military personnel.
Despite mounting evidence of health risks, the military continued using AFFF firefighting foam for years before taking steps to limit its environmental impact.
Over 700 military bases across the United States have known or suspected PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies.
Accidental Spills of PFAS Containing Firefighting Foam
Accidental spills and leaks of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) during storage, transport, and disposal have led to significant environmental contamination at various military installations.
For instance, in August 2024, a malfunctioning fire suppression system at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine discharged approximately 1,450 gallons of AFFF concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water, releasing toxic PFAS chemicals into the environment.
Similarly, between July 9 and July 15, 2024, Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico reported a spill of about 7,000 gallons of PFAS-contaminated water into a compromised retention pond, raising concerns about groundwater contamination.
The environmental and health implications of such spills have prompted increased regulatory scrutiny and calls for improved handling practices of PFAS-containing substances.