Firefighting foam is officially known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF is a foam fire retardant that works by creating a blanket to cut off oxygen from the fuel. To help put out fires, fire-retardant chemicals called PFAS have been added to many of the firefighting foams.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals that can be resistant to grease, oil, water, and heat. The FDA says PFAS have been added to fire-fighting foams since the 1940’s. However, PFAS have been linked to severe health risks in firefighters exposed to firefighting foam.

PFAS have been found to build up inside of the body and not break down over time. The FDA says current evidence indicates the build-up of certain PFAS in the body can cause serious health conditions.

Health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have observed that PFAS may increase the risk of cancer and other health issues in firefighters.

Cancers associated with PFAS include:

PFOA and PFOS are common types of PFAS found in firefighting foam. Both these chemicals have been found to accumulate in the body and not break down, increasing the risk of cancer and other severe health risks.

Airport firefighters were required to use firefighting foam since the 1970s to put out jet fuel fires. As of 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) no longer requires airports to use PFAS-containing foams. But, this rule will not go into effect until 2021.

Thousands of firefighters over the decades could be at risk from the harmful side effects of firefighting foam exposure.

We advocate on behalf of firefighters harmed by the dangerous ingredients in firefighting foams. For years firefighting foam manufacturers put firefighters at risk by distributing toxic foam. They failed to warn about the severe side effects of firefighting foam exposure.

We’re here to be a voice for injured firefighters. Our mission is to ensure injured firefighters receive justice and fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon them.

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