Firefighting is a complex affair due to the nature of large fires to rage on for hours on end. Because of this, scientists in the 1950’s created a compound that could be used as an effective flame retardant which was achieved by starving the fire of oxygen so it can stop burning. This plastic-like material is called aqueous film forming foam, made of a chemical called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are impervious to degradation. As the decades went by, PFAS found a myriad of uses, for instance, it was heavily used in house insulation due to its ability to retain heat as well as make it less likely for a house to completely burn down in the event of a fire. However, companies such as 3M and DuPont as well as other chemicals manufacturing companies failed to let the public know about the propensity for this chemical to cause tumors in animals and humans, and the culture of silence would go on for decades until individuals that worked in close contact with AFFF foam as well as other compounds containing this toxic chemical started developing aggressive cancers.
If you were in close contact with firefighting foam as well as PFAS such as individuals working in airbases and various military bases across the country, and went on to get diagnosed with cancer, we’d love to hear from you so we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Please call us NOW at (773) 825-3547 to learn more about how we can help you file a claim. The experienced firefighting foam lawsuit attorneys at McCready Law have over 90 YEARS of combined legal experience helping individuals just like you get the justice they are owed after being harmed by the lies and omissions of large corporations. When it comes to 3M AFFF lawsuit updates in 2021, hundreds of lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, which means that a single federal judge will handle the lawsuit, which is a good sign that may herald a settlement in the coming months.
Just How Toxic Are PFAS?
Due to the toxicity of PFAS, which are entirely artificial and man-made chemicals, the U.S. no longer manufactures this and similar compounds. That said, PFAS chemicals haven’t been outrightly banned by the government, meaning that they can be found not only in the environment, but also common products that we use at home, and water sources, especially in areas where there are large military installations.
PFAS, AFFF Foam and Cancer
PFAS are known as C-8 chemicals, because they have a strong chain made of carbon atoms that are literally impervious to breakage, meaning that they can linger in an individual’s body for decades, causing cellular changes as the body tries to break it them down. After a while, a heightened or overactive immune system may give birth to abnormal cells which then set the stage for the development or growth of tumors, or masses of abnormal cells, and finally, cancer.
PFAS in Drinking Water – Should You Be Concerned?
What’s alarming about PFAS and similar toxic chemicals is the fact that they have been shown to be present in ground water, which makes up drinking water in most part of the country. In fact, a 2015 study showed that PFAS were present in the drinking water used by over 6 million Americans, with the EPA stating that the levels in the water was way above what is considered safe, putting the lives of millions of Americans in jeopardy.
AFFF foam is used in the following installations:
- Airports
- Oil refineries
- Oil processing and storage depots
- Flammable liquids depots
- Chemical plants
- Firefighting stations
- Offshore oil platforms
- Highway emergency response installations
Forever Chemicals Linked to Cancer
PFAS are also known as forever chemicals because they do not naturally break down, and can persist in the environment as well as the body almost indefinitely. This is perhaps one of the reasons why they are very dangerous, and those exposed to the same may be carrying with them large amounts of the chemical without knowing it until their cancer diagnosis many decades later.
Here are some of the individuals that are thought to have been exposed to AFFF:
- Firefighters
- Military servicemen
- Airport workers
- Individuals residing near military facilities
- EMT workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Airport hangar workers
Exposure to AFFF has been shown to cause the following cancers:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Breast cancer
- Liver cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Kidney cancer
In addition, PFAS and PFOA have been linked to the following health conditions:
- Asthma
- Ulcerative colitis
- Kidney disease
- High cholesterol
- Crohn’s disease
- COPD
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurological complications
- Liver disease
- Thyroid disease
AFFF Foam Lawsuits – What You Need To Know
If you or a loved one was exposed to AFFF foam or suspect that you were in contact with PFAS over a long period of time which then informed your development of cancer, we’d love to help you get the justice and compensation you are rightfully owed. These companies owed you a duty of care to keep you safe as well as inform you about the possible risks associated with exposure to AFFFs and PFAS and in failing to inform you of the same, breached their legal duty of care, making them negligent and liable for your injuries.
Experienced AFFF Foam Attorneys – Call Us Now!
McCready Law is at the forefront of fighting for the rights of individuals who were exposed to AFFF foam and its derivatives. By helping you file a claim, you may be able to recover money damages for things such as the cost of past and future medical care, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, lost wages, loss of income earning ability, cost of long-term assistive care, mental anguish, loss of society, wrongful death if a loved one died due to cancer from PFAS and AFFF foam, and so much more. It is not too late to join litigation for firefighting foam lawsuits – simply give us a call NOW at (773) 825-3547 and we’ll provide you with more information on your legal options and rights. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to helping you.
