Were You Exposed to Toxic Firefighting Foam in the Military?
July 07, 2021
A common chemical firefighting foam used since the 1970s by the military to extinguish fuel fires has been linked to numerous cancers and other conditions. Many veteran firefighters who now suffer from health problems potentially related to exposure to this foam have been denied disability benefits from the VA despite evidence that supports a link between this substance and their illnesses.
Aqueous film-forming foam, known as AFFF, contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a group of industrial chemicals used to produce water- and oil-repellent substances perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistent buildup in the environment and human body.
Nearly everyone has detectable levels of PFAS in their bodies thanks to widespread water contamination and the use of commercial products containing the substances. Besides firefighting foam, other PFAS products include food packaging, nonstick coatings on cookware, like Teflon, and stain and water repellants used on carpets, fabrics and clothing (Scotch Guard and Gore-tex.) Because there are so many other potential sources of PFAS exposure, the VA will not formally acknowledge a presumptive link between AFFF and adverse health conditions.
Some of the conditions linked to AFFF and PFAS toxicity include:
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Hormone disruption
- Fertility issues, including uterine and ovarian damage
- Thyroid disease
- Higher cholesterol
- Liver and kidney damage, such as liver lesions, damaged liver function and kidney degeneration
- Developmental impairment
- Low birth weight
- Weakened immune system
Allegations have been made that the companies that produce PFAS and the military were all aware of the health risks involved with the use of AFFF yet failed to protect consumers from them adequately. Many veterans say that they were told the foam was harmless and that they were often doused with it in the course of their work. As such, the protective gear they wore while fighting fires did little to keep the foam off their skin and eventually became saturated with PFAS.
If you were a firefighter in the military exposed to AFFF and suspect that your subsequent health problems are related, you could be entitled to VA benefits. Even though there has been no established presumptive service connection for these cases, the VA considers these claims individually.
Legal Help for Veterans can help you pursue your AFFF-related VA disability case. For a free claim evaluation, call 800-693-4800.