The sight of a firefighter walking into a house or factory outlet on fire does invoke sentiments of bravado. Indeed, they are the unsung heroes who put their lives in danger and save people from being harmed by a devastating fire. They also ensure that there is minimal property damage. If you think that the bruises and injuries caused by dangerous fire flames are the only hazards they have to endure, you need to know more.
Nothing harms a firefighter more than the tool they use to extinguish the fire–that is, the firefighter or AFFF foam. This toxic foam can dissolve fires but can pose various health risks, such as a weakened immune system, asthma, thyroid disease, and even increased cholesterol levels. Since most firefighters stay exposed to this foam all through their careers, the side effects surface in the form of life-threatening diseases at a later stage.
Prolonged exposure to this hazardous foam can result in prostate, breast, liver, testicular, and kidney cancer. Some people also suffer from leukemia and lymphoma. In this article, we will discuss the two prominent diseases that affect firefighters the most because of AFFF exposure. Additionally, we will talk about seeking legal compensation for the same.
Severe Diseases Due to Increased Exposure to AFFF
AFFF comprises water and various other chemical components, like propylene glycol and ethylene, which add more life to the toxic foam. The two common kinds of PFAS present in firefighter foam include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Both are man-made compounds and don’t occur in the environment naturally, which leads to fatal ailments in humans.
As a result, people who have been affected by this foam and have suffered immensely should file an AFFF foam lawsuit to get financial compensation. The two most common diseases include:
Ulcerative Colitis
Simply put, ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that results in ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract. It affects your intestine’s inner lining, which is also known as the rectum and colon. Most people start to see the symptoms gradually and not suddenly. AFFF exposure has resulted in many people suffering from this disease.
In September 2023, AboutLawsuits.com mentioned that the excessive use of AFFF products by firefighters had contaminated the New Jersey water supply. The polluted waters in Willingboro Township made a resident suffer from ulcerative colitis. One of the victims of concern here is Marye Smith, who filed her lawsuit and claimed that DuPont, 3M Company, and other AFFF manufacturers had posed ample risk to the environment and human health by producing this toxic foam.
Being a resident of Willingboro, New Jersey, she bought and consumed water from private and public suppliers regularly. Since the waters were tainted with PFAS chemicals, she developed ulcerative colitis.
In her lawsuit, she claims that the defendants should have been aware of the potential harm that AFFF can cause and alerted people about it. That would have saved many people in this region from developing fatal ailments along with ulcerative colitis.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer occurs when there is a disproportionate amount of cell growth in the testicles. Even though this disease can happen to men of any age, it is generally common between the age brackets of 15 and 45.
In August 2023, The New Lede mentioned a study done on more than a thousand Air Force servicemen that shows that PFAS exposure can lead to the risk of testicular cancer. The same news report mentioned a study done by NIH researchers by analyzing the blood samples of 1,060 Air Force servicemen.
The study outcome revealed that these servicemen had developed testicular tumor cells at the end of their work tenure. AboutLawsuits.com also shared the account of Mark Austin, who reported being diagnosed with testicular cancer after being exposed to AFFF.
It is necessary for firefighters or any other individuals diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and testicular cancer to seek immediate medical attention to treat and arrest the cancer. It will help them to live longer and file a lawsuit to get the compensation they deserve to carry on with the treatment.
Walking the Legal Path
If you or your loved one have suffered by getting exposed to the toxic firefighter foam, you are eligible to file a lawsuit. TruLaw states that a lawyer decides whether you are eligible for this legal claim. Therefore, if you feel that AFFF exposure is the reason for your ailment, you should connect with a lawyer at the earliest and share all medical and healthcare data you have.
Once they confirm your eligibility to file a lawsuit, you can rest assured of receiving your monetary claim. The settlement payout might vary between $10,000 and $300,000 based on your suffering, the extent of medical costs incurred, and the foam exposure level. Once you share the vital pieces of evidence, your lawyer can develop a solid case that can ensure that the verdict is in your favor.
In conclusion, the dangerous firefighter foam has been the cause of several ailments so far. Of the many ailments that it causes, testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis seem to be two prominent ones among firefighters and others exposed to this foam. If you have suffered from any of these two ailments because of AFFF exposure, you should seek both medical and legal aid.