AFFF Testicular Cancer Lawsuit [December 2024 Update] | AFFF Cancer Lawyers

What Is Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)?

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is a firefighting foam widely used in industries such as aviation, petrochemical, and military for extinguishing fuel-based fires.

AFFF works by creating a thin film barrier between flammable fuels and oxygen, rapidly suppressing fire outbreaks.

The foam’s critical ingredient, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), has been linked to serious environmental and human health risks.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are highly resistant to degradation, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Due to this persistence, AFFF exposure has been associated with contamination of water supplies, soil, and even human bloodstreams.

Research has shown direct links between PFAS exposure and various forms of cancer, including kidney and testicular cancer.

The environmental impact is also significant, with concerns about PFAS harming wildlife and ecosystems.

These risks have led to growing legal actions against manufacturers like 3M and Tyco Fire Products, who have supplied AFFF for decades, despite evidence suggesting the dangers associated with its use.

AFFF Firefighting Foam and Testicular Cancer

Research has found that exposure to fire fighting foam may increase the risk for testicular cancer.

Published in 2020, “Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma“, found an increased risk for kidney cancer in people exposed to AFFF.

Recent studies have established a more defined link between PFAS exposure, particularly through Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), and testicular cancer.

For instance, a 2023 study by the National Cancer Institute and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences provided strong evidence that elevated levels of PFAS, specifically PFOS, in the blood of Air Force servicemen were associated with a higher risk of testicular germ cell tumors.

This is the first study to directly measure PFAS levels in U.S. military personnel and connect them to cancer outcomes, underscoring the significant health risks posed by AFFF firefighting foam exposure.

Military personnel and firefighters, in particular, face a heightened risk due to prolonged exposure to AFFF during training and operational use​.

Scientific Studies on AFFF Exposure and Testicular Cancer Risk

Several studies have shown a link between PFAS exposure, particularly from AFFF firefighting foam, and testicular cancer.

These studies bolster the claims made in many AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits regarding the health risks faced by those exposed to these chemicals.

Key findings include:

• C8 Health Project: A study involving individuals exposed to PFOA (a type of PFAS) from the DuPont plant found a 3-fold increase in the risk of testicular cancer in the most highly exposed group.
• Meta-Analysis of 10 Studies: Research focusing on endocrine-disrupting chemicals concluded that prenatal exposure to PFAS increases the risk of testicular cancer in male offspring, suggesting a developmental origin for this cancer.
• Air Force Servicemen Study: A nested case-control study identified elevated risks of testicular cancer in Air Force servicemen who had higher concentrations of PFOS in their blood, likely from long-term exposure to AFFF firefighting foam used in military settings.

These studies underscore the significant health risks posed by PFAS exposure, particularly for military personnel and others frequently in contact with AFFF firefighting foam, and provide a strong scientific basis for ongoing AFFF lawsuits.

PFAS Chemicals in Firefighting Foam and Effects on Human Health

Chemical manufacturers and the US Navy, who first approved AFFF firefighting foam for use, knew about its toxic effects for decades.

Urged by the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Defense finally submitted an official warning stating that the dangerous chemicals in AFFF present an increased risk for serious health problems and environmental contamination.

In a number of research studies, PFAS have been linked to an increased risk for cancer and other serious health problems.

With the number of chemicals used in firefighting foam, the health impacts of them are widespread.

The health of airport firefighters, military firefighters, chemical plant workers, and workers who transport and manufacture firefighting foam is especially at risk.

Studies on the links between AFFF Exposure and Health Problems include the following:

• A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a statistically significant association between PFOA exposure and an increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and ulcerative colitis.
• Another study published in the International Journal of Cancer found a positive association between PFOS exposure and breast cancer.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFOA as a possible carcinogen, and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS, stating that long-term exposure to these chemicals above certain levels could be harmful to human health.
• Researchers at National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Australia) found that firefighters were more likely to have fluorinated surfactants in their bloodstream.
• Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley studied the carcinogenic effects of PFAS on women firefighters and office workers, finding that firefighters who reported using firefighting foam in the past year had higher levels of several PFAS in their body compared to those who did not.

AFFF Environmental Contamination

AFFF firefighting foam has been found to have a devastating impact on the environment.

AFFF is the number one contributor to PFAS contaminated drinking water.

One of the challenges in removing PFAS from the environment is that they are highly soluble in water and easily spread, contaminating groundwater, drinking water, and other natural areas.

PFAS do not degrade naturally and persist in the environment for a long time, building up over time and increasing the risk of exposure to these harmful chemicals for hundreds or even thousands of years.

AFFF Lawsuits have been filed by state and city governments, as well as municipal water authorities over environmental contamination.

These agencies have joined the litigation against AFFF Manufacturers:

• State of Michigan
• State of New Hampshire
• State of Ohio
• State of Vermont
• A water district that serves Birmingham, Alabama
• Thornton, CO
• Philadelphia, PA
• La Crosse, WI
• Peshtigo, WI
• Baltimore, MD
• The Water Replenishment District of Southern California
• Camden and Point Pleasant, NJ
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Pittsboro, NC
• Fairbanks, AK
• Many other cities and local water agencies

For more updates on the AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits, visit this page.

You are also welcome to contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation to see if you qualify to file an AFFF Lawsuit today.

Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Based on current information, it is still too early to determine the exact average settlement amount for AFFF lawsuits.

Estimates from legal experts suggest that AFFF settlement amounts could range between $100,000 to $300,000 per person.

These numbers are based on previous mass tort cases, and actual settlement amounts will vary depending on individual case factors, such as the severity of health conditions and the strength of the evidence presented.

These figures are projections and do not guarantee a specific settlement.

As the AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL) progresses, more concrete settlement data will become available​.

Do You Qualify to File an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit?

Many individuals who were unknowingly exposed to AFFF firefighting foam are now suffering from severe health conditions linked to PFAS chemicals.

You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of these medical complications alone.

Our experienced legal team is here to evaluate your case and help you pursue justice against those responsible for your exposure.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to PFAS from AFFF Firefighting Foam and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer or complications, you could be eligible for compensation through an AFFF lawsuit.

Contact us for a free consultation, or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for an AFFF Foam Lawsuit instantly.

Gathering Evidence For AFFF Lawsuits

Evidence in an AFFF Lawsuit is extremely important. Your AFFF lawyers with help you determine what evidence is relevant to your AFFF Lawsuit.

Evidence in AFFF lawsuits may include:

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

Damages In Firefighting Foam Lawsuits

Firefighting foam cancer lawyers will help victims assess their damages.

Damages refer to the total economic and non-economic losses a person has suffered due to AFFF exposure.

Experienced firefighting foam lawyers, with the help of the claimant, will calculate your damages and demand compensation from the defendants.

Typical damages for AFFF foam lawsuits may include:

• Medical expenses
• 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

Why Hiring Experienced Firefighting Foam Attorneys For Your Claim Is Important

Contact an AFFF attorney with experience in toxic tort, chemical exposure, and personal injury lawsuits to discuss your potential case.

An experienced law firm will work diligently through the civil litigation process to prove liability and help ensure your case is as strong as possible.

TorHoerman Law understands that AFFF foam lawsuits may involve cancer diagnosis and other hardships endured by victims and their families.

Our law firm will work tirelessly to ensure that you and your family are fully compensated for exposure to firefighting foam and the health issues related to AFFF exposure.

Any law firm you contact for your claim should be willing to go the extra mile to secure compensation that you are rightfully owed.

Always take the choice of a lawyer with extreme discretion.

TorHoerman Law: Your Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawyers

The AFFF Lawyers at TorHoerman Law have won over $4 billion in prior mass tort cases and personal injury litigations.

Our AFFF Lawyers are known for holding large corporations and chemical manufacturers liable for the harm they’ve caused, and securing financial compensation for people harmed at no fault of their own.

If you or a loved one have developed cancer or other adverse health outcomes after being regularly exposed to firefighting foam, you may be eligible to file an AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit and seek financial compensation.

Contact our experienced Firefighting Foam Lawyers today for a free consultation.

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