According to the US Fire Department Profile, in 2020, there were approximately 1,041,200 firefighters in the United States, comprising both career and volunteer positions. The country also had a total of 29,452 fire departments during this time. Of these, 18 percent were predominantly career-based, safeguarding 70 percent of the US population.
A majority of the firefighters were aged between 30 and 49 years. Additionally, 43 percent of volunteer firefighters had more than 10 years of tenure, indicating their long-term dedication to the role.
Firefighting foam has been a crucial tool for firefighters in the fight against fires and other emergencies for decades. However, recent research has shown that exposure to the chemicals in firefighting foam may pose serious health risks, including an increased risk of cancer.
This article will explore firefighters’ fight for justice in firefighting foam cancer lawsuits, including the potential health risks associated with exposure, the legal actions taken by affected individuals and communities, and advocacy efforts for policy change and safer alternatives.
Overview of Firefighting Foam
Firefighting foam, also known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), is a highly effective fire suppression tool that has been widely used in firefighting and emergency response for several decades.
Digital Journal notes that firefighting foam is a composition of small air-filled bubbles with a density lower than oil, gasoline, and water, made by mixing foam concentrate, air, and water. Its main functions are the separation effect and cooling effect, which involve suppressing the oxygen supply to the flammable material and then cooling down the fire with water vapor produced by the foam.
As of 2022, the global firefighting foam market size has reached USD 901 Million, and it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during 2023-2028, with an expected market value of USD 1,167 Million by 2028.
The foam contains chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals can occur through inhalation of foam particulates, ingestion of contaminated water, or direct contact with the foam.
Health Effects of Firefighting Foam Exposure
Exposure to firefighting foam chemicals, such as PFAS, has been linked to several potential health risks. One of the most concerning is an increased risk of cancer, including kidney, testicular, and prostate cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Other health effects may include neurological damage, such as decreased cognitive function and behavioral changes, and reproductive harm, such as reduced fertility and adverse effects on fetal development.
These chemicals are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time, leading to long-term health impacts. As a result, there is growing concern about the potential health risks of firefighting foam exposure, particularly for firefighters and communities near sites of contamination.
Firefighting Foam Contamination
Firefighting foam has been used for decades to suppress fires, particularly those involving flammable liquids and gases, such as oil, gasoline, and jet fuel. However, the chemicals in firefighting foam can pose a significant risk to human health and the environment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA, are worrisome due to their persistence in the environment, ability to penetrate the soil and pollute water supplies, and tendency to bioaccumulate in wildlife. These chemicals do not degrade naturally, posing a threat to human and environmental health over extended periods.
They are capable of leaching into water sources, where they can be consumed by humans and animals, accumulate in soil and sediment, and ultimately enter the food chain.
As a result, there is a growing need for regulation of firefighting foam use and improved methods of remediation for contaminated sites.
Legal Action
As the health and environmental impacts of firefighting foam contamination have become more widely recognized, individuals and communities affected by exposure to these chemicals have increasingly turned to legal action to seek justice.
Individuals affected by the contamination have filed a firefighting foam cancer lawsuit against manufacturers of firefighting foam, alleging that they knew about the potential harms of the chemicals in their products and failed to warn consumers or regulators adequately.
In addition, government agencies responsible for the regulation and use of firefighting foam have been named in lawsuits, accused of negligence in allowing the use of these chemicals and failing to protect public health.
TorHoerman Law, LLC (THL), a law firm representing firefighting foam lawsuits, states that individuals at a higher risk of experiencing occupational exposure to PFAS through firefighting foam include:
- Firefighters in airports, military bases, and municipalities
- Workers in oil refineries and similar industries
- Individuals who worked on flight decks
- Employees of AFFF manufacturing companies
- Individuals who transported AFFF firefighting foam
- Workers at incinerator facilities that disposed of firefighting foam
The law firm named multiple companies as defendants in lawsuits, including 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and over a dozen other companies.
Advocacy and Policy Change
In response to the health and environmental risks associated with firefighting foam, advocacy groups and policymakers have been working to promote the use of safer alternatives and to strengthen regulations around the use of these chemicals.
Some firefighting departments have begun to switch to fluorine-free foams or other less harmful alternatives to human health and the environment. Advocacy groups have also been pushing for stronger regulations to limit the use of firefighting foam and to require manufacturers to disclose the chemicals used in their products.
In addition, policymakers have introduced legislation to increase funding for research into the health impacts of firefighting foam and to provide financial support for affected individuals and communities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, firefighting foam has been widely used for decades to suppress fires, but its chemical components have been found to pose significant health and environmental risks. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer and reproductive harm, and can contaminate soil and water sources, potentially affecting entire communities.
The legal actions taken by individuals and communities affected by firefighting foam contamination, along with advocacy and policy change efforts, are crucial in promoting safer alternatives to firefighting foam and in pushing for stronger regulations to protect firefighters and communities from harmful chemical exposure.
It is important to continue raising awareness of these issues and working towards a safer and more sustainable approach to firefighting to protect the health of firefighters and the public.
