What is AFFF Foam Made Of?

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is water-based, combining several chemicals to produce a foaming effect that suppresses highly flammable fires.

Aqueous film forming foam may be manufactured with fluorosurfactants, which may contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) make up the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals”.

Despite some variations, AFFF firefighting foam’s chemical makeup includes the components listed below.

Water

Water forms the base of AFFF firefighting foam.

It’s the primary extinguishing agent for its ability to absorb heat from fires and cool the fuel surfaces.

Synthetic Surfactants

Some AFFF products contain synthetic surfactants, which are responsible for the foam-forming properties of the solution.

These surfactants lower the surface tension of water.

By decreasing water’s surface tension, surfactants allow water to spread as a thin film across the fuel surface.

As a result, the firefighting foam extinguishes fires on any scale.

Fluorosurfactants

AFFF Firefighting Foam may also incorporate fluorosurfactants, which are surfactant compounds that contain fluorine atoms.

These atoms enable the firefighting foam to spread wider, facilitating large-scale firefighting efforts.

Firefighting Foam Stabilizers

Foam stabilizers help maintain the condition of the firefighting foam for long periods.

These stabilizers act as preservatives to keep the foam from breaking down or drying up too quickly.

Thickening Agents

Many brands of AFFF firefighting foam contain thickening agents to improve the longevity of the firefighting foam.

They increase the viscosity of the firefighting foam solution, enabling the firefighting foam to stick to vertical surfaces that are ablaze.

How Does AFFF Work?

AFFF firefighting foam works by creating a thin layer on top of flammable liquids, like gasoline or oil, which stops the release of dangerous vapors and cuts off the oxygen that fuels the fire.

This helps put out the fire. The foam also cools down the hot surfaces, making it harder for the fire to start again.

In short, AFFF firefighting foam helps control and extinguish liquid fires by forming a barrier, reducing oxygen, and cooling down the heat.

What Is AFFF Firefighting Foam Used For?

AFFF firefighting foam has been primarily used for extinguishing flammable liquid fires, particularly those involving hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel, oil, and jet fuel.

Due to the concerns surrounding the environmental and health risks associated with AFFF, governments and regulatory agencies have taken significant actions to phase out its use.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) in 2020, which limited the manufacture, import, and processing of certain long-chain PFAS chemicals used in AFFF.

Below are industries in which AFFF foam has been historically used.

Industrial Facilities and Chemical Plants

Workers may suffer AFFF foam exposure in industrial facilities that contain, transport, and manufacture flammable liquids.

These facilities can include refineries, chemical plants, and other similar manufacturing facilities.

Workers responsible for transporting firefighting foam may also be at risk of exposure.

Airports

Fuel fires in airports can occur.

For this, airport and military firefighters use AFFF firefighting foam to extinguish jet fuel fires after aviation accidents, fueling operations, and maintenance procedures that have gone wrong.

Military Applications

Military personnel may also use AFFF firefighting foam for fire suppression.

During accidents involving military vehicles and aircraft, military personnel and firefighters might use AFFF foam to put out fires quickly.

Firefighting Services

Fire departments and emergency responders may utilize AFFF firefighting foam as part of their fire suppression arsenal to tackle flammable liquid fires effectively.

What are the Long-Term Effects of AFFF Exposure?

Some brands of firefighting foam contain toxic chemicals, putting those exposed to AFFF at an increased risk to develop cancer.

The scientific evidence of AFFF/PFAS exposure and its effects on human health is growing.

New studies show that the dangerous chemicals found in firefighting foam contribute to an increased risk for cancer, thyroid disease, and other serious health issues.

One agency that investigated the link between cancer and AFFF firefighter foam is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Based on the EPA’s findings, AFFF firefighting foam has several components that are known carcinogens.

The National Cancer Institute found that PFAS exposure increased a person’s risk of developing cancer, from testicular cancer to kidney cancer.

The same study also linked exposure to PFAS to thyroid cancer and ovarian and endometrial cancer.

What Types of Cancer are Caused by AFFF?

PFAS in AFFF firefighting foam can lead to several types of cancers.

Below are some of the cancers associated with prolonged AFFF firefighting foam and PFAS exposure:

Kidney Cancer

Many victims who have filed AFFF cancer lawsuits developed kidney cancer from exposure to toxic firefighting foam.

While the causative association between kidney cancer and PFAS exposure remains unclear, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen a link between kidney cancer and prolonged exposure to PFAS.

Testicular Cancer

Prolonged exposure to PFAS chemicals can also predispose a person to testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer was among the cancers the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry identified in patients exposed to PFAS.

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is another type of cancer found in patients exposed to PFAS for long periods.

There are many theories about how PFAS causes liver cancer in patients.

One theory backed by animal studies suggests that PFAS’ effect on liver enzymes causes injuries to the liver.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer diagnosis has also been linked to PFAS exposure.

Scientific evidence has found that colon cancer diagnosis is prevalent among a population of people exposed to PFAS chemicals.

Prostate Cancer

The National Cancer Institute found that high exposure to PFAS can elevate serum PFAS levels to the point where they can cause prostate cancer.

Other Cancers Linked to AFFF

Other cancers linked to PFAS exposure and AFFF exposure include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Leukemia
• Mesothelioma
• Pancreatic cancer

Other Potential Health Risks Associated with AFFF

Other potential health risks of AFFF exposure or PFAS exposure include the following:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Asthma
• Fertility issues
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Thyroid and sex hormone disruption
• Immune system problems and immune suppression issues

What To Do If You’ve Developed Cancer From AFFF Firefighting Foam Exposure

The first thing you must do if you’ve developed cancer is to first seek medical care.

Seeking medical care enables you to start your physical recovery, which should be the priority of every victim.

If you’ve been exposed to AFFF, you may be eligible file an AFFF lawsuit to recover financial compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.

To file an AFFF lawsuit, you will need your medical records.

These will show your cancer diagnosis and the treatment you have received.

You must also gather any relevant employment records.

After you have gathered and retained your records, your next step would be to contact a firefighting foam attorney for a case evaluation.

AFFF Cancer Lawsuit: Do You Qualify?

Victims who have been diagnosed with cancer after being exposed to AFFF are filing firefighter foam lawsuits against manufacturers.

AFFF lawsuits seek to compensate cancer victims for the negligent acts of AFFF manufacturers, who chose to use dangerous chemicals in the production of firefighting foam.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to toxic fire fighting foams and subsequently diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to join others in filing AFFF Lawsuits.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

Reach out to us for legal assistance on your AFFF claim. We’re here to help.

Potential Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

No settlements have been reached in the AFFF litigation as of yet, but lawyers estimate that AFFF lawsuit settlement amounts may fall between $40,000 to $300,000 or more depending on the strength of the case and other individual factors.

These settlement figures are by no means a guarantee of financial compensation in the AFFF Lawsuit, they are merely projections based on knowledge of prior mass tort cases and settlements for cancer diagnosis.

TorHoerman Law: Your AFFF Lawyers

TorHoerman Law’s team of experienced firefighting foam lawyers are representing those facing complications due to PFAS and firefighting foam exposure.

Our personal injury lawyers have helped thousands of victims across all 50 states take on hundreds of companies that put workers, community members, and consumers at risk.

Over the past 11 years, our law firm has helped clients gain over $4 Billion in verdicts and negotiated settlements to help them get back on the path to recovery.

If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF and subsequently developed cancer, you may be eligible to file an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Firefighter Foam Lawsuit instantly.