What Makes AFFF Foam Dangerous?
AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) was developed in the 1960s as a revolutionary firefighting tool. The foam works by creating a thin aqueous film that floats on fuel surfaces, preventing oxygen from reaching the fire and stopping combustion. This effectiveness made it standard equipment at military installations, airports, fire departments, and industrial facilities throughout California.
The danger lies in the foam’s key components. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that don’t break down naturally in the environment or human body, earning them the ominous nickname “forever chemicals.” They accumulate in the bloodstream and organs over time, potentially leading to severe health complications decades after exposure.
The scientific evidence linking PFAS to cancer has grown substantially. The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published findings showing firefighters had PFAS blood levels nearly three times higher than average Americans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified certain PFAS compounds as “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” with particularly strong evidence for kidney and testicular cancers.
Despite mounting research showing these dangers, manufacturers continued providing AFFF without adequate warnings, putting profits above the safety of those who relied on their products.
Health Risks Linked to AFFF Exposure
The toxic PFAS chemicals in AFFF foam have been connected to numerous serious health conditions in scientific studies. These substances remain in the body for years, gradually causing damage that can lead to life-threatening diseases. For California firefighters, military personnel, and airport workers who handled this foam regularly, the health consequences can be devastating. Below are the major health concerns that may qualify you for compensation through an AFFF lawsuit.
Military and civilian firefighters show elevated kidney cancer rates, with PFAS chemicals concentrating in kidney tissue after AFFF exposure, causing cellular damage that can lead to malignancy
Research demonstrates a strong connection between AFFF exposure and testicular cancer, with studies documenting cases among firefighters at rates significantly above expected population averages.
Studies reveal PFAS compounds can accumulate in pancreatic tissue, with exposure potentially increasing pancreatic cancer risk after a typical 10-year latency period.
PFAS chemicals concentrate in the liver, causing both acute inflammation and chronic damage that may progress to liver cancer after years of accumulation.
Beyond cancer, AFFF exposure compromises immune function, potentially leading to autoimmune disorders and increasing susceptibility to other diseases.
If you’ve been diagnosed with any of these conditions after working with firefighting foam, Walter Clark Legal Group’s AFFF attorneys can evaluate your case. The manufacturers’ decision not to warn users about these risks forms the foundation of current litigation.
Legal Grounds for AFFF Foam Lawsuits
The AFFF litigation centers on manufacturers’ responsibility for producing and distributing products containing harmful PFAS chemicals without proper warnings. These cases rely on established legal principles that hold companies accountable when their products cause harm. Our California AFFF litigation team leverages these arguments to build compelling cases for victims.
Manufacturers failed their legal duty to provide reasonably safe products, as AFFF foam contained toxic PFAS chemicals when safer alternatives could have been developed.
Companies knew or should have known about PFAS dangers but deliberately withheld critical safety information from firefighters and others who trusted their products.
AFFF manufacturers violated California consumer protection laws by misrepresenting their product’s safety and concealing known risks from purchasers and end-users.
AFFF producers faced EPA sanctions for allowing PFAS to contaminate drinking water near training facilities, strengthening claims about their knowledge of these chemicals’ dangers.
These legal theories have resulted in significant litigation progress, including the consolidation of federal cases into multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2873) in South Carolina. Several manufacturers have begun settlement discussions, recognizing the strength of evidence against them.
Do You Qualify for an AFFF Lawsuit?
If you’ve been exposed to firefighting foam and subsequently developed cancer or other serious conditions, you may be eligible to file an AFFF lawsuit. Our California AFFF foam attorneys evaluate qualification based on these specific criteria:
Exposure Requirements
- Working as a military firefighter
- Serving as an airport or civilian firefighter
- Operating on military flight decks
- Manufacturing or transporting AFFF products
- Working at facilities that disposed of firefighting foam
- Training at locations where AFFF was regularly used
Your exposure must have occurred after 1960, when PFAS-containing foams became widely utilized across California and nationwide.
Medical Criteria
- Kidney cancer (requires 15 years since first exposure)
- Testicular cancer (requires 15 years since first exposure)
- Bladder cancer (requires at least 4 years since first exposure)
- Prostate cancer (requires 15 years since first exposure)
- Pancreatic cancer (requires 10 years since first exposure)
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (requires 10 years since first exposure)
- Thyroid disease or cancer (no minimum latency period)
- Other related cancers or conditions
For your case to proceed, your diagnosis must have occurred after your exposure to AFFF, and you must have been between 18-85 years old when diagnosed.
Meeting these criteria may qualify you for compensation. Take our confidential case evaluation today to determine if you’re eligible to pursue justice.
Next Steps for AFFF Exposure Victims
If you believe your health has been compromised by AFFF exposure, taking immediate action is crucial for protecting both your medical future and legal rights. Many California firefighters are only now connecting their illnesses to previous foam exposure. Here’s what you should do if you suspect AFFF has affected your health:
Consult specialists familiar with PFAS-related health issues, ensuring all symptoms and diagnoses are thoroughly documented with potential connections to chemical exposure.
Create a detailed timeline of your AFFF exposure, including dates, locations, job responsibilities, and any protective equipment provided or lacking.
Compile employment records, military service files, medical reports, and any information about AFFF use at your workplace to support your claim.
Take our instant case evaluation to determine if you qualify for an AFFF lawsuit and understand what compensation options may be available to you.
California law sets strict time limits for filing toxic exposure claims, so prompt action is essential. Walter Clark Legal Group can guide you through this process while you focus on your health and recovery.
Check Your Eligibility Now
Time is limited to file your AFFF claim. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer after firefighting foam exposure, Walter Clark Legal Group’s experienced California AFFF attorneys are ready to fight for you. Take our quick online assessment today to learn if you qualify for compensation.