PFAS chemicals are a group of carcinogenic entities that exist in a plethora of everyday items you use. These chemicals do not break down under normal conditions in the environment, and hence, are also known as ‘forever chemicals.’

They line your pizza boxes, stop the food from sticking to the container, are found in water-repellant clothes, make your cookware non-stick in nature, and are present in Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) used in fire extinguishers.

AFFF firefighting foams are used to douse class B liquid fires. The PFAS chemicals present in the foam act as surfactants, spreading the foam to suppress the fire. Since the firefighting foam is made of PFAS chemicals, which are a grave hazard to the environment, most nations have either completely stopped or selectively reduced its applications.

The water supply of many communities has been tainted by out-of-date fire policies at military bases and airports in the United States, endangering the health of firefighters who use these perilous items.

In this post, we shall look into the effects of prolonged use of AFFF firefighting foams, the recent developments in the Firefighting Lawsuits, and the steps that the US government is taking to curb the menace of PFAS chemicals at the earliest.

Concerns About PFAS in the Environment

Water sources laden with excess levels of PFAS become the most common mediums by which PFAS chemicals enter plant, animal, and human ecosystems. Since these chemicals are heat-resistant, water-repellants, and nearly indestructible, industries keep manufacturing them, and consumers keep lapping them up.

Since the PFAS compounds do not break down over the years, constant exposure to these can prove dangerous. Your body is not naturally adept at breaking down these chemicals, and hence, they can remain in your body for at least a period of 6 years!

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) substances have not been exhaustively researched around the world. But, reports reflecting their hazardous impact on human health have been constant and consistent throughout time and geography. They are accountable for various types of serious health conditions like cancer, liver damage, and fertility issues.

The incidence of cancers from prolonged PFAS exposure has also been widely reported. Cancers of the kidney, prostate, breast, and colon from these chemicals get reported in the States once in a while.

AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit

The AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits are a means through which innocent victims of PFAS exposure can fight for justice and claim legitimate monetary compensation.

And more importantly, they serve as a reminder to the big companies and brands that they can not make profits while taking their consumer’s health for a serious ride.

According to the latest AFFF lawsuit update, no matter when you got exposed to firefighting foam, you can qualify to sue if you ever had cancer or other health issues from the exposure. The AFFF Multi-District Litigation has reached a figure of over four thousand plaintiffs!

Moreover, ​​according to the personal injury law firm, TorHoerman Law, lawmakers in Delaware are in the pursuit of setting up a statewide framework to account for firefighting foam containing PFAS at major fire stations. In Illinois, the Attorney General has sued firefighting foam manufacturing companies.

Increasing public outrage is resulting in increased checks on PFAS polluters and false marketeers.

Steps Taken By The US Government To Curb The PFAS Menace

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has accelerated its pace and put in place mechanisms to address the PFAS situation and safeguard the American people.

The EPA asked for public feedback in April 2023. It was regarding potential future CERCLA (also known as Superfund) classifications of PFAS as dangerous substances.

In March 2023, EPA signed off a key postulate limiting the number of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in clean drinking water to six. Moreover, in February 2023, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made $2 billion available to the EPA. The aim is to address the issue of new novel pollutants, such as PFAS, in drinking water across the nation.

One of the most promising initiatives by the EPA is the launch of PFAS Analytic Tools. This is a set of dynamic web pages that host all data about PFAS under one umbrella. The aim of the tools is to make the communities aware of the various local sources of PFAS.

Conclusion

Man-made chemicals like PFAS are a conscious by-product of industrial innovations. When the profits tip the scale, the big brands do not care much about their responsibility toward your long-term well-being.

It is important for you to stay up to date with the latest findings about everyday hazardous substances like the chemicals spoken about in this article. You also need to stay abreast with the developments in the firefighting lawsuits and stay put in your battle against injustice.