The Important Growing Concerns Around AFFF & Its Lasting Footprint

The Important Growing Concerns Around AFFF & Its Lasting Footprint

Aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, once celebrated as a firefighting star, is now emerging as a growing environmental and health concern. This seemingly safe substance, designed to extinguish fires easily, carries a hidden danger that is only beginning to surface. Let’s explore the growing concerns around AFFF below.

As researchers delve deeper, they uncover a troubling pattern of long-lasting contamination that extends far beyond the primary firefighting sites. AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called ‘forever chemicals’ due to their environmental persistence.

These compounds are seeping into our soil and water supplies, creating a dispersion of contamination that touches lives in ways many never imagined. From polluted drinking water to potential health risks, including cancer and immune system disorders, the impact of AFFF is far-reaching and deeply concerning.

The challenge now lies in addressing this issue while balancing immediate firefighting needs with long-term environmental and health protection. Let us, in this article, know more about the growing concerns around AFFF foam.

Where Is Aqueous Film Forming Foam Being Used?

AFFF plays a crucial role in safeguarding areas where flammable liquid fires pose a significant threat. This firefighting foam finds its home in various high-risk industries, each relying on its unique ability to put out flames and prevent reignition easily.

• In the world of aviation, AFFF is highly used at airports worldwide. Here, it is used to tackle the intense fires that can erupt from jet fuel spills or aircraft accidents.

• The petrochemical industry, with its vast networks of refineries and storage facilities, also depends heavily on AFFF. The foam acts as a layer of protection for handling and storing flammable liquids.

• Military organizations frequently utilize AFFF to put out fires using petroleum-based fuels on airplanes, naval boats, and other military hardware.

• Firefighting teams use it to put out fires in industrial plants, while some building fire suppression systems incorporate it for added protection. Moreover, in motorsports, AFFF is used to tackle high-octane fires that can erupt during races.

Health Hazards Linked To AFFF

PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, have been a part of our lives since the 1940s, states the Environmental Protection Agency. Initially regarded as a breakthrough in creating stain-resistant and non-stick products, these chemicals found their way into countless everyday items.

From cosmetics and cookware to water-repellent clothing and food packaging, PFAS became universal in both industrial and consumer goods. Of particular concern is their presence in firefighting foam, widely used by both civilian and military fire departments for decades.

The persistent nature of this chemical has led to widespread contamination. Recent studies reveal that nearly every American carries some level of PFAS in their bloodstream. The extent of this contamination is shocking.

A recent U.S. Geological Survey analysis found that at least 45 percent of the nation’s tap water contains different types of these chemicals. Moreover, a recent federal study has shed light on the dangers of PFAS chemicals, revealing a concerning link to testicular cancer among military personnel.

This research has been conducted by teams from the National Cancer Institute and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The study focused on airmen, with a particular emphasis on those serving as firefighters.

Researchers discovered that these individuals had notably higher levels of PFAS in their blood compared to their peers. Alarmingly, those diagnosed with testicular cancer showed even greater concentrations of PFOS, pointing to a relationship between exposure and this specific form of cancer.

Fighting Battle Against Life

According to TorHoerman Law, exposure to AFFF can have a range of negative effects, from ongoing liver damage to immune system disruption. Perhaps most alarming is the increased risk of certain cancers associated with these persistent chemicals. Colon cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are some of them.

For veterans and others exposed to AFFF during their service or work, the path forward often leads to filing an AFFF foam lawsuit. Filing a claim against the exposure has become a crucial step, especially for veterans seeking compensation and healthcare benefits.

Filing A Claim

• Veterans must piece together information about their exposure, drawing from duty records, location histories, and documented incidents involving AFFF. This can make the case very strong, linking their current health struggles to their past service.

• Medical evidence plays a pivotal role in these claims. Veterans are encouraged to seek out healthcare professionals well-versed in AFFF exposure effects. These evaluations go beyond routine check-ups, aiming to document any symptoms or conditions potentially related to AFFF exposure.

• The Nexus statement is another important element of the process. It is a professional opinion linking the veteran’s condition to their service-related exposure. It helps in making a successful claim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does AFFF contaminate the environment?

One of the biggest concerns around AFFF is that AFFF firefighting foam can contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water through runoff during firefighting activities or training exercises. PFAS chemicals in the foam persist in the environment for long periods, accumulating in water sources and wildlife. This contamination spreads, posing risks to ecosystems and human health, especially in communities that rely on contaminated water supplies.

Why is PFAS in AFFF considered a ‘forever chemical’?

PFAS chemicals are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because they are highly resistant to degradation. Once released into the environment through the use of AFFF foam, they can remain for decades, accumulating in the soil, water, and living organisms. This persistence increases their potential to contaminate drinking water, food sources, and the human body, leading to long-term health concerns around AFFF.

What alternatives exist to AFFF for firefighting purposes?

Safer, PFAS-free alternatives to AFFF have been developed and are being adopted in some sectors. These alternatives, such as fluorine-free foams (F3), provide effective fire suppression without the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS chemicals. Governments and regulatory agencies are increasingly encouraging or mandating the transition to these safer options to mitigate the dangers of PFAS contamination.

Revelations about the long-term risks of ‘forever chemicals’ have encouraged significant regulatory action. The Department of Defense, recognizing the hazards of and concerns around AFFF, has set new standards for fluorine-free alternatives. They have committed to phasing out harmful AFFF by October 2024, marking an essential shift in firefighting practices.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency has taken ground-breaking steps by proposing the first national standards for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. This move is part of a broader initiative to regulate PFAS under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These actions reflect a growing awareness of the need to protect public health and the environment from these persistent chemicals.

Guest Article.