Studies Show PFAS In AFFF Elevates Cancer Risk for Firefighters

10.14.2020

Studies Show PFAS In AFFF Elevates Cancer Risk for Firefighters

What is AFFF and what are PFAS carcinogens?

Aqueous film forming foam is a fire suppressant agent which functions by cooling fire and coating fuel to create a film between fuel and oxygen and prevent further combustion (CRCCare).

Used for many years in the manufacturing of this agent are two compounds from the family of man-made chemicals called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These two compounds, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), can be found in AFFF and have been proven to share key chemical characteristics with known carcinogens. A study published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that “PFAS impact biological functions linked to an increased cancer risk.” From the American Association for the Advancement of Science, “Changes in the body, such as hormonal dysregulation and weakened immune system, increase cancer risk, and PFAS chemicals cause many such changes.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says both PFOS and the PFOA replacement chemical GenX show evidence of carcinogenicity. According to the American Cancer Society, lab studies done on animals exposed to PFOA showed increased risk of tumors on the liver, testicles, mammary glands, and pancreas. Studies which have examined cancer rates in people living near or working in PFOA-related chemical plants have shown an increased risk of testicular cancer, and to a lesser extent kidney and thyroid cancer.

How do PFAS chemicals contribute to an increased cancer risk?

PFAS are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they have long half-lives and build up over time in the bodies of those exposed. This buildup of concentrated PFAS/PFOA/PFOS in the body is linked to risk of thyroid disease and testicular, bladder, and kidney cancers. A proven health outcome from exposure to PFAS is immunotoxicity— quoting from a study by the Harvard Department of Public Health, “Five studies examined the association between PFAS exposure and suppression of antibody response to vaccination among children, adolescents or adults. Four out of the five found statistically significant associations between higher PFAS exposure and suppressed immune response.”

If you or a loved one have developed cancer and were exposed to AFFF at any time, you should contact our firm about the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit.

BLOG DISCLAIMER

The postings on this blog were created for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services.  Although we attempt to ensure that the postings are complete, accurate, and current as of the time of publication, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.  The information in this blog is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship.  Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel.

This blog may contain links to independent third party websites and services, including social media. We provide these links for your convenience, and you access them at your own risk.  We have no control over and do not monitor the content or policies (including privacy policies) of these third-party websites and have no responsibility for, and no liability with respect to, their content, accuracy, or reliability.  Unless expressly stated, we do not endorse any of the linked websites or any product, service, or publication referenced herein or therein.  We will remove a link to any site from this blog upon request of the linked entity.

We grant permission to readers to link to this blog so long as this blog is not misrepresented. This site is not sponsored or associated with any other site unless so identified.

If you wish for Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., to consider representing you, please obtain contact information from the Contact Us area of this blog or go to the firm’s website at www.wilentz.com.  One of our lawyers will be happy to discuss the possibility of representation with you. However, the authors of Wilentz blogs are licensed only in New Jersey and/or New York and do not wish to represent anyone who viewed this site in a state where the site fails to comply with all laws and ethical rules of that state.

Thank you for your interest in Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A.’s legal blogs. You will receive an email sent to the address entered in order to confirm your subscription. Please watch for it and click the link to confirm your subscription.