The job of a firefighter is not just stressful but also dangerous. The risks associated with their health and lives are real. This danger is not over once a firefighter walks out of a site that had previously caught fire. The flames might have been extinguished for good, but the firefighter foam, or AFFF, results in major harm.
Firefighters get exposed to AFFF daily as a part of their occupation and training. This toxic foam leads to several life-threatening ailments that hurt a person’s quality of life and even decrease their lifespan.
In December 2023, dotnews.com reported that most of the Legislature in Worcester had signed a letter to Andrea Campbell, an attorney general. The letter was a plea urging the state to join the firefighters detected with cancer in the lawsuits they have filed against manufacturers of firefighting gear. It’s because these gears have harmful ‘PFAS’ (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or ‘forever chemicals’ that are detrimental to health.
This news emphasizes that AFFF exposure is fatal for firefighters, and they need to be secured from it. In this article, we will discuss the dangers of AFFF to human health and how firefighters can mitigate the health risks.
Understanding AFFF and its Health Hazards
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) is a firefighter foam that has fluorine and is used in training Class B materials like jet fuel, oil, and gasoline, for the shore or shipboard facility fire suppression systems. The foam develops a barrier that diminishes the fire by taking off the oxygen supply and allowing the fuel to cool down.
TorHoerman Law states that AFFF is very effective against some critical fires.
However, many states are planning to ban the use of AFFF because of its toxic chemicals, which affect both humans and the environment. The U.S. military, in October 2024, intends to stop all the uses of AFFF. The Federal Aviation Administration will follow this initiative soon after.
The latest studies highlight that PFAS persists in nature. It can also enter the human body through water, air, and soil contamination. Leading organizations such as the IARC (International Agency for Research and Cancer) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) consider PFAS to be carcinogenic. Therefore, other than restricted use, there is also a need for secure practices for handling and disposal.
The researchers with the EPA and Department of Defense state that AFFF exposure can result in:
- Asthma
- Fertility problems
- Immune system changes
- Issues in fetal and child development
- Problems related to cholesterol
- Liver damage
- Higher chances of kidney, testicular, and various other cancers
- Thyroid disease
- Preeclampsia induced by pregnancy
- Ulcerative colitis
Firefighters who have witnessed such health hazards should file a firefighter foam lawsuit to seek legal compensation. The money that they get can be used to cover all the economic and non-economic damages that they have endured because of this toxic foam exposure.
Safe Handling Is Crucial for Alleviating Health Risks
Once you are affected by AFFF exposure, you have the choice of making a legal claim under the guidance of a lawyer. However, it is also necessary for firefighters and other safety professionals to practice security measures to reduce the health hazards linked to this foam as much as possible.
The following guidelines are useful:
Using PPE (personal protective equipment)
The workers who have to deal with AFFF should wear the correct PPE, which comprises face shields, goggles, and gloves, to avert splash hazards. They also need P2 respirators to ensure that any harmful particles are filtered out. Also, if the safety gear has PFAS, companies must look for safer alternatives.
Implementing Correct Awareness and Training
Executing in-depth, regular training sessions that focus on the risks of AFFF and secure ways to manage the same is necessary. It will help firefighters learn about emergency response measures that will help to bring down the harm caused by the foam. Training should also focus on spill response, correct use of PPE, and correct disposal methods to make sure the staff is safe.
Following Correct Disposal Methods
It is necessary to dispose of AFFF correctly, or else it can cause much harm to nature. Companies should adhere to environmental regulations to avert any hazards. It is necessary to get in touch with a toxic waste disposal service provider because they have the necessary know-how and tools to dispose of AFFF without causing additional harm.
Storing AFFF the Right Away
It is also necessary to store AFFF correctly. The Department of Ecology has shared a few regulations that can help.
1. Refrain from giving away or selling AFFF to any other fire departments.
2. Secure the AFFF tanks and containers from the elements.
3. Store the containers strictly inside a shed or building.
4. Make use of secondary containment to avert AFFF release to the environment when there is an accident or a spill in the storage area.
5. Make sure to label the tanks and containers with the manufacture date, contents, and any hazards that the contents might pose.
6. Keep the tanks and containers clean to check whether there are any signs of leakage or any other issues when you check them.
In conclusion, firefighter foam, though effective in extinguishing dangerous flames, poses much harm to human health. Once affected, firefighters and others have the option to file a lawsuit and seek the fair compensation they deserve by following the guidance of a lawyer. However, it is also essential to adhere to a few safety practices that will go a long way in alleviating health risks at work.
