If you or a loved one have been affected by the firefighting foam used to fight fires, you may be eligible to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit. The lawsuit can help you seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It may also help you take action against the companies responsible for the hazards.
PFAS chemicals
The PFAS chemicals that make up AFFF firefighting foam have several negative effects on the environment. PFAS chemicals are not biodegradable and remain in the environment long after they have been used. They are also persistent and can accumulate in the soil.
Since AFFF is not reclaimed, the chemicals can leach into groundwater. These chemicals have been found in soil and water supplies, and are also reaching the Arctic and oceans. A task force for the Defense Department has been formed to study the impact of PFAS on water quality and human health.
Currently, most states have adopted regulations aimed at regulating AFFF. These regulations impose certain limitations on the use and disposal of AFFF. Among other things, they prohibit the manufacture of AFFF containing PFAS chemicals. It is also unlawful to sell or distribute AFFF without a written notice of the chemicals contained in it.
The PFAS chemicals in AFFF fire fighting foam have been shown to increase firefighting effectiveness. They were introduced into AFFF manufactured by the 3M Corporation prior to 2004. Although manufacturers stopped manufacturing PFOS-based AFFF in the United States in 2002, PFOS-based AFFF is still being produced in other countries. Some older AFFF that is military-grade may still contain PFOS or PFOA.
The US Navy developed AFFF in the 1960s. In 1966, the Navy received a patent for the product. Since then, all Navy facilities were required to have an AFFF supply in case of a fire. Today, AFFF is widely used by municipal fire departments and military bases.
Firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals is banned in Indiana. The Department of Homeland Security and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management collect AFFF that contains these substances. Those who purchase such foam must pay a fee. These chemicals are a threat to the environment. AFFF manufacturers and distributors must comply with the rules and provide a written notice of PFAS substances contained in its foam.
While PFAS chemicals are not biodegradable, they can migrate into soil and water, contaminating any living organisms that come in contact with them. They can affect groundwater and air quality in a community, so preventing their use is essential.
PFAS chemicals in AFFF
The PFAS chemicals in AFFF fire fighting foam are extremely toxic and have the potential to migrate into water and soil. They do not biodegrade and can affect the soil and water supplies for decades. This has led to numerous lawsuits and investigations involving PFAS contamination.
While federal action is slow to eliminate AFFF from federally mandated sites, many states are taking the lead and passing legislation that restricts the use of the chemical. One example is Washington State, which in 2018 led the way in banning the use of AFFF on non-federally mandated sites. Other states are banning its use in all training exercises and requiring disclosure of PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear.
PFAS chemicals are found in air and water samples from fires and are particularly dangerous in airfields. The chemicals can be carried to groundwater and soil by washing down storm drains. The chemicals can be harmful to human health and must be eliminated from the environment.
While PFAS chemicals remain in the blood for years, they can be easily transferred into other living organisms through the breast milk of infants. Consequently, there are plans to ban the use of AFFF in public spaces. Environmental groups and activists have been working with state legislators to pass legislation that restricts its use.
Although the federal government has been resistant to banning PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam, new formulations must meet stricter standards to ensure that they do not cause further contamination. For this reason, there is currently a new certification program for safer foams. However, there are still many obstacles to overcome on a federal level.
During the last decade, the U.S. Navy Research Laboratory began testing a new firefighting foam that smothered fuel fires in a matter of minutes. The new foam, which became known as AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam), had hydrophobic and surfactant properties that effectively sealed over the burning fuel and prevented it from reigniting. It quickly became a popular product and was used by civilian fire departments around the world in the 1970s.
US Ecology is currently evaluating the potential impacts of AFFF disposal in the Great Lakes region. In the next few years, the US Department of Ecology will conduct a state-initiated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Once completed, the EIS will be published for public comment. Once approved, the chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam will no longer be used.