[2026 Guide] Scientific Evidence on AFFF and Cancer

What Is Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)?

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) firefighting foam is a type of fire extinguishing agent designed to fight fires started by class B materials.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, class B fires are caused by combustible liquids like gasoline, alcohol, and petroleum.

AFFF foam works by forming a film-like covering atop flammable liquid fires.

The film thickens upon contact and creates a barrier between the air and the fire, causing flames to die out.

As a result, fires caused by highly flammable liquids are extinguished without the chance of rekindling.

As an effective means to fight flammable liquid and jet fuel fires, AFFF firefighting foam has been in wide use, particularly among military personnel.

AFFF firefighting foam has been the foam of choice for extinguishing fires in places like military facilities, chemical plants, and even aircraft carriers.

However, various agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fire Protection Association have found evidence suggesting that AFFF exposure can lead to cancer.

Class B AFFF firefighting foam contains PFAS chemicals.

Also known as “forever chemicals”, PFAS are extremely durable and resilient chemicals that have been known to persist in the human body and environment.

Exposure to PFAS can be extremely harmful.

Individuals exposed to PFAS may be at an increased risk of developing cancer, including prostate cancer and kidney cancer.

Who Introduced AFFF Firefighting Foam?

The U.S. Navy, in cooperation with 3M, spearheaded the development and use of AFFF firefighting foam in the 1960s.

Before the 60s, the main agents for fire extinguishers were either water or foam.

Unfortunately, these were incapable of extinguishing specific fires due to their surface tension and short shelf lives.

The U.S. Navy and 3M looked into other chemicals that can both lower the surface tension of firefighting foams and increase their shelf lives.

This led to the incorporation of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam.

Why Was AFFF Foam Introduced and Used?

The U.S. Navy needed a low-surface-tension fire extinguishing agent to put out flammable liquid fires.

Before the discovery of AFFF foam, extinguishing fires from flammable substances like fuel and tar required massive amounts of foam and water.

However, PFAS chemicals in AFFF foam enabled military firefighters to cover flames with a translucent foam that prevents fires from consuming oxygen.

The lack of oxygen almost instantaneously extinguishes flames.

AFFF Regulation and Phase-Out

AFFF firefighting foam and its PFAS chemicals pose environmental and human health risks.

Recognizing this, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a phase-out of all AFFF firefighting foam, particularly ones containing PFAS chemicals.

According to the EPA, the phase-out is set to take commence by October 1, 2023.

Following the phase-out, the EPA directed the U.S. Military to switch from AFFF firefighting foam to fluorine free foam solutions.

The transition from PFAS-containing foams to less toxic firefighting foam is taking place.

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, multiple states are doing away with AFFF firefighting foam products.

The mandate to eliminate AFFF firefighting foam usage in fire departments also comes with recommendations on occupational safety and personal protective equipment.

Existing Evidence Proving AFFF Firefighting Foam Cancer

AFFF firefighting foam’s effects on human health have been the subject of meticulous study.

As more research findings on AFFF exposure and cancer risk surface, the effects of the toxic substances in AFFF foam on health become increasingly clear.

More studies are being conducted on the subject.

These include the following studies and reports.

National Cancer Institute – PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer

Conducted by the National Cancer Institute, this study examines the association between PFAS exposure and cancer risk.

In this study, the researchers collected epidemiologic data from multiple medical databases.

The researchers selected their participants based on their history of PFAS exposure and the kinds of cancers they developed.

The researchers discovered the following based on their review of medical records:

• PFAS Exposure and Kidney Cancer Risk Were Correlated: 230,000 individuals who showed elevated PFAS concentration in the blood were 50% more likely to develop kidney cancer compared to those with low to no PFAS contamination in the blood.
• PFAS Exposure Makes Men Twice as Likely to Developing Prostate Cancer: The researchers looked into the blood PFAS concentrations of more than 20,000 male patients. Based on the findings, men with high PFAS levels in the blood were twice as likely to develop prostate tumors.
• Testicular Cancer Was Present in Men With High Serum PFAS Levels: Besides prostate cancer, testicular cancer was another type of cancer found in men exposed to AFFF and PFAS.

These findings are indicative of the increased risk of cancer that occurs from PFAS exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives – PFAS Exposure and Testicular Cancer Risk in Air Force Servicemen

Published in Environmental Health Perspectives, this study delved deeper into the relationships between elevated serum PFAS levels and testicular cancer.

To determine serum PFAS levels, researchers gathered multiple blood samples from Air Force servicemen diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Elevated PFAS levels only showed up during the second and succeeding blood samples.

The researchers also looked into the exposure histories of these servicemen.

Based on the findings, service-related variables such as firefighting roles and assignments to bases with elevated PFAS water levels were found to correlate with elevated PFAS concentrations.

These findings highlight the potential risk factor that PFAS exposure may pose for the development of testicular cancer in Air Force servicemen.

Journal of Environmental Research – Perfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure in Firefighters: Sources and Implications

Published in March 2023, this study discusses the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, particularly cancer.

Based on the study, elevated PFAS levels in the blood are indicators of cancer risk, particularly in the most exposed population — firefighters.

The researchers also found that firefighters with elevated serum PFAS levels have a higher risk of developing the following cancers:

• Colorectal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid disease and cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Bladder cancer

The study also explained how PFAS chemicals accumulate in the body to reach toxic levels.

According to the study, PFAS chemicals are persistent substances that can stay in the body for a long time.

This means that firefighters can experience the effects of PFAS exposure throughout their careers.

Journal of Environmental Research – PFAS and Cancer, a Scoping Review of the Epidemiologic Evidence

Published in 2021, this study was an epidemiological meta-analysis examining various studies looking into PFAS and cancer risk.

As with the other studies mentioned, an overwhelming number of studies suggest a strong correlation between exposure to PFAS chemicals and developing cancer.

Based on the data, the researchers also found testicular and kidney cancer to be the most commonly found cancer diagnosis in the studies.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry – PFAS Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research

Published in 2020, this study aims to assess PFAS toxicity knowledge and suggest ways to understand their health effects in a more comprehensive manner.

Currently, ample data is available on only a few PFAS, like perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate.

The limited information we have on various PFAS substances necessitates further research into other varieties.

The study points out that epidemiological research links specific PFAS exposure to various health issues, including immune problems, thyroid dysfunction, liver disease, metabolic disruptions, kidney damage, reproductive issues, and cancer, findings supported by animal studies.

Due to the health issues arising from exposure to PFAS chemicals, the researchers called for more caution and protection when handling substances containing these toxic chemicals.

AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Overview

The AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits are a series of product liability and personal injury claims against companies associated with AFFF production.

AFFF firefighting foams utilized harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their production.

Due to the PFAS content of these firefighting foams, long term exposure to AFFF has been linked to serious health problems such as cancer and thyroid issues.

The plaintiffs in the AFFF cancer lawsuit allege that the companies were aware of PFAS risks but failed to adequately warn of these risks.

The lawsuits seek to hold several AFFF manufacturers accountable for various AFFF firefighting foam-linked illnesses like immune system issues and cancer.

The AFFF firefighter foam lawsuit is ongoing and has been consolidated into the AFFF multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court: District of South Carolina.

If you or a loved one were exposed to AFFF and subsequently developed cancer or other related health effects, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Lawsuit.

Contact our law firm for a free case review.

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

What is the Average Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Settlement?

AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit settlements depend on a number of factors.

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.

Reach out to an experienced AFFF lawyer for a free consultation and to gain insight on your individual AFFF lawsuit.

Who is the AFFF Lawsuit Filed Against?

Several companies have been named in the AFFF firefighting foam cancer lawsuits.

These AFFF manufacturers are facing thousands of lawsuits for allegedly knowing about the risks of their toxic firefighting foam products but failing to provide adequate warnings about health risks.

Defendants in the firefighter foam lawsuit include, but are not limited to:

• 3M
• DuPont
• Tyco Fire Products
• Chemours
• Corteva Inc.
• BASF Corp.
• Several other AFFF manufacturers

Our law firm has extensive experience representing clients in large product liability and personal injury lawsuits.

Our AFFF firefighting foam lawyers are a call away if you need representation in your AFFF lawsuit.

Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free case review.

Do You Qualify for the AFFF Cancer Lawsuit?

Exposure to toxic firefighting foam has been linked to numerous health problems, including several types of cancer.

AFFF lawyers are helping victims of toxic exposure seek compensation and justice through firefighting foam cancer lawsuits.

If you or a loved one were exposed to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and subsequently developed cancer or other related negative health effects, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Lawsuit.

Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

An experienced firefighting foam attorney can help a client throughout the legal process, including meeting deadlines, gathering evidence, and assessing damages.

Gathering Evidence for an AFFF Lawsuit

Evidence is extremely important in personal injury claims for AFFF exposure.

AFFF lawyers can help clients gather and retain crucial evidence.

Potential evidence in your AFFF lawsuit may include:

• Medical records
• Cancer diagnosis information
• Employment records
• Military personnel records
• History of AFFF exposure
• Personal and witness testimony
• Any other information validating exposure to firefighting foam

Assessing Damages in AFFF Lawsuits

Damages are the total amount of losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of exposure to toxic firefighting foam.

Experienced AFFF lawyers can help victims determine and calculate damages in their case.

Potential damages in AFFF lawsuits may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress
• Lost earning ability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability
• Future medical expenses and therapy costs
• Other compensatory and punitive damages
• Loss of consortium

TorHoerman Law: Your Firefighting Foam Law Firm

Exposure to AFFF firefighting foam has been linked to countless negative health effects, including different types of cancer diagnoses.

Military personnel, airport firefighters, and others exposed to AFFF deserve justice and compensation.

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

Contact TorHoerman Law’s AFFF lawyers for a free case review.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the AFFF Lawsuit instantly.

Our attorneys are sensitive to the needs of our clients, and we understand the serious and life-threatening effects of AFFF exposure.

Reach out to us for more information and to find out how our AFFF lawyers can help you seek justice.