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Firefighting Foam – Just How Toxic Is It?

A lot of kids grow up wanting to be firemen or servicemen, admiring the important role these individuals play when it comes to saving the lives of the ordinary American. Firefighters and those working in the military are undeniably heroes, and more ought to be done to protect their health and rights. These risky jobs have only been recently compounded by the revelation that AFFF foam, used in putting out fires, could be the causative agent responsible for the increase in cancers in these two groups of workers. What’s even more alarming, however, is that this information was hidden from the public for decades until more and more firefighters and military servicemen started getting sick with various aggressive cancers.

Are you looking for a Chicago attorney that handles firefighting foam cancer lawsuits? Please give our class action lawsuit attorneys in Chicago a call at (773) 823-0298 to discover what we can do for you. Companies such as 3M hid the fact that the firefighting foam they manufactured since the late 50’s had the potential to cause certain cancers due to the presence of something called “forever chemicals” which do not degrade over time, leading to cellular changes and cancer over time. If you’re a firefighter, a military personnel, live near an airport or a fire station and were diagnosed with cancer, we’d like to help you get the compensation that you truly deserve. Please give us a call NOW at (773) 823-0298 to receive your 100% FREE legal consultation into firefighting foam class action lawsuits.

AFFF Foam – Why Is It Toxic?

Firefighting foam contains chemicals that are collectively called PFAS, or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which spread over a flammable liquid surface to not only subdue the explosive vapors causing combustion, but they also limit and reduce the amount of oxygen available to the fire so that it dies out. This invention was developed in the 1950’s, helping turn the corner when it comes to putting out fires in residential, commercial property as well as on military bases where jets sometimes caught fire on landing. This life-saving invention, however, used compounds that have such strong carbon bonds, that they are impervious to biodegradation.

PFAS have the potential to be absorbed by the body. As foreign compounds, the body will try to eliminate them through dissolving them over time. However, PFAS, given their inability to break down, end up causing inflammation which leads to the growth of abnormal cells, setting the stage for cancer.

Here are some of the cancers attributed to firefighting foam exposure:

  1. Pancreatic cancer
  2. Prostate cancer
  3. Testicular cancer
  4. Kidney cancer
  5. Breast cancer

AFFF Foam is also used in the following industries:

  • Oil refineries
  • Chemical plants
  • Flammable liquid storage plants
  • Highway emergency response

Chicago Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawyers – Call Us Today!

We understand that filing an AFFF cancer lawsuit may not reverse the damage that’s already been done by this compound. However, you may be able to recover compensation that will help in taking care of medical expenses, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. In addition, joining a firefighting foam lawsuit will help put other companies on notice so they think twice before obscuring information about potentially toxic products to the public. Please call (773) 823-0298 to speak with a Chicago firefighting foam lawyer. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to helping you.