When firefighters walk into a site on fire to extinguish it, they don’t know the unknown health hazards they carry within them. And while many might think it’s the dangerous fumes, that is not the case. It’s the AFFF or the firefighting foam that they use to dissolve fires that causes health hazards. This toxic foam, though, is effective in extinguishing liquid fires but is harmful to human health because of the chemicals it contains.
Are you wondering why this foam is called toxic? It’s because of the PFAS chemicals it contains that persist in the human body and environment without breaking down. That is the reason it is also termed as ‘forever chemicals.’ Various studies have highlighted probable links between PFAS exposure and a wide range of health hazards, including pancreatic cancer.
Over the years, 3M Company and others who manufacture and sell AFFF have faced several wrongful death lawsuits filed by the family members of the victims or the firefighters themselves. In this article, we will look into the link between pancreatic cancer and AFFF exposure and what victims can do to seek legal compensation.
What Made Tina Novotny File An AFFF Lawsuit?
AboutLawsuit.com shared how Tina Sue Novotny had filed an AFFF firefighting foam lawsuit on behalf of Dennis Harrison Novotny. He died in May 2019 after getting exposed to PFAS that had accumulated in his body and increased the chances of developing cancer. Dennis had worked as a fireman for years, where he had to spray the PFAS-containing fire foams that according to the lawsuit was the reason he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The lawsuit further highlights that the defendants failed to warn people, firefighter trainers, and companies about the dangers of AFFF exposure. As a result, Dennis never knew during his working years that the product he was using regularly at work had harmful side effects on human health. Neither was he notified about the fact that the foam is inherently risky.
It takes thousands of years for the PFAS chemicals to degrade. Also, a few past studies show that this foam can enter the human body and stay in the environment through dust, air, water, soil, and food. A few earlier studies made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that PFAS chemicals tend to settle in the liver, kidney, and blood. About 98% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bloodstream.
The complaint filed by Tina is counted among the increasing number of firefighting foam lawsuits filed nationwide by firefighters. Most claim compensation for the wrongful death of firemen because of cancer. Similar complaints have also been filed by several local water districts where excess use of this toxic foam caused PFAS to pollute the drinking water.
Are you wondering how PFAS exposure results in pancreatic cancer? The PFAS inhaled leads to oxidative stress in the firefighter’s pancreas, which has a chance to eventually trigger cancer. If this harmful chemical is the root cause of pancreatic cancer, there is a mutation in the KRAS genes that is the principal mutational event in this type of cancer. In various lab studies, it has been found that PFAS exposure led to a high occurrence of pancreatic acinar cell tumors in rats. Werdaan
Since there have been reports of firefighters like Dennis dying from pancreatic cancer because of AFFF exposure, the results of the study can be held for humans too. However, if there is further research on the same, it will help to establish the link better and raise mass awareness.
Navigating the Legal Path
It is necessary to find ways to keep yourself protected from PFAS exposure. TorHoerman Law states that a few fire departments have opted for modern fluorotelomer foams that are less toxic. These foams also replicate the long-shelf life of the conventional AFFF and are being used at several work sites.
Sometimes, it becomes challenging to find out whether a firefighting foam has PFAS. However, it is present in case the ingredient list mentions fluoro-proteins, fluorosurfactants, or C6.
While research and work is being done by several companies to come up with alternative solutions, it’s necessary to address the harm that has already been done. For that, a victim should seek help from a lawyer and report their case. Allow the lawyer the time to study the case to decide if they can file a lawsuit and then submit all the necessary evidence to support the claim Dreamchaserhub.
The vital pieces of evidence can include healthcare and medical data, the testimonials of other firefighters, the list of treatments and medicines used, and proof that the defendant failed to issue a warning. It will enable the lawyer to create a compelling case that will make the court sanction a fair compensation that can cover all your economic and non-economic damages. However, you need to adhere to the guidelines shared by your lawyer so that you don’t face any payout delay or cancellation.
In conclusion, firefighting foam has been in the news for causing cancer in firefighters and whoever was exposed to it for a prolonged time. Pancreatic cancer is one of the many cancers that this foam can cause and people must understand the link. If you have been affected by this type of cancer, it is necessary to seek both medical and legal assistance Tvplutos.