Firefighting foam has long been used to quickly extinguish dangerous blazes. However, new research is raising alarming questions about whether exposure to these chemical-containing foams may increase the risk of a sinister illness.
Could extended exposure to foam enhance firefighters’ chances of developing thyroid cancer over time? Let’s examine the science behind this alarming possibility in greater detail.
The Hidden Hazards of PFAS
The effectiveness of film-forming foams used to extinguish petroleum fires stemmed from their use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are over 12,000 man-made compounds with durable carbon-fluorine bonds, earning them the name “forever chemicals.”
Key PFAS like PFOA and PFOS were major components in these foams as well as products like nonstick coatings. However, the properties that make PFAS well-suited as surfactants also bring unseen health risks.
PFAS’ structure prevents degradation, allowing persistence in the environment. They can seep through the soil and into groundwater. While considered inert, manufacturers concealed toxicity data for decades. Thus, few policies curbed PFAS exposure.
The body lacks a means of removing synthetic PFAS, causing accumulation in tissues and blood. Prolonged exposure may heighten cancer likelihood plus threats to organs and reproduction.
Later, the foams’ ingredients were recognized as hazardous when PFAS emerged at over 700 U.S. military sites, with research indicating around 3,500 installations faced presumptive contamination in all.
PFAS Exposure and Thyroid Cancer Risk
Researchers recently conducted a study exploring the potential link between PFAS exposure and thyroid cancer diagnosis. They performed a nested case-control analysis using samples from the BioMe biobank.
The study included 88 thyroid cancer patients and 88 healthy matched controls. Plasma levels of 8 PFAS were measured using advanced analytical techniques.
A significant association was found between higher levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and increased thyroid cancer risk. For each doubling of PFOS, risk rose 56%. When focusing on papillary thyroid cancer only, the results were similar.
Importantly, the risk remained elevated even among cases diagnosed over a year after sample collection. This suggests that PFAS exposure impacts long-term thyroid cancer development.
In summary, the findings provide evidence that PFAS exposure may raise thyroid cancer risk, especially for papillary thyroid cancer.
Given widespread global PFAS contamination, these results have major public health implications. Further prospective research is needed to better understand the relationships between multiple PFAS and thyroid cancer.
Taking Legal Action for Exposure to PFAS
According to TruLaw, former firefighters and other individuals exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used at military and industrial sites face potentially life-threatening health issues.
As we saw, new research has revealed a potential link between certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and grave illnesses like thyroid cancer.
Plaintiffs filing AFFF lawsuits allege that manufacturers such as 3M and Dupont were long aware of PFAS dangers but failed to warn consumers and regulators. They also withheld information linking their products to thyroid cancer and other life-changing diseases.
Medical records showing diagnoses of rare and aggressive cancers like thyroid tumors following AFFF exposure are being used as crucial evidence in ongoing legal cases. Other documents, such as employment records verifying exposure circumstances and witness testimony vividly describing the unprotected use of PFAS-containing foam, also factor into lawsuits.
Considering the potential health ramifications and immense treatment costs that can accompany PFAS-induced cancers, it has become urgently important for past victims to consider legal recourse.
Current Uses of AFFF Firefighting Foam
While the dangers of AFFF containing PFAS chemicals are becoming clearer, some firefighting organizations still rely on it for its effectiveness in extinguishing liquid fuel fires quickly.
The military and some civilian fire departments keep AFFF on hand for emergencies that require a fast response, like aircraft crashes or fuel storage tank fires. However, there is a growing movement to transition away from PFAS-containing foams.
A number of states have passed laws restricting the use of PFAS-containing AFFF and requiring less toxic alternatives whenever feasible.
According to the National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense will discontinue using foams containing PFAS by 2024 on a national level. This major change signals the U.S. military is making a concerted effort to phase out AFFF and move to greener firefighting methods.
FAQs
1. What are the risks associated with AFFF?
A: AFFF poses significant risks due to its inclusion of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are harmful chemicals known to have adverse effects on human health and are resistant to breaking down in the environment, water systems, wildlife, and human bodies. These substances have been linked to various health issues in humans, including cancer.
2. Is there a connection between PFAS and cancer?
A: A recent study, co-led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC, found associations between several PFAS and phenols. It also found higher rates of previous diagnoses of melanoma, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
3. Does AFFF still contain PFAS?
A: The most widely used and easily accessible fluorinated firefighting foam is AFFF. It has PFAS in various amounts and combinations. However, the effects of all fluorine-containing foams on the environment and human health are a cause for worry.
While firefighting foam has proven effective in extinguishing dangerous fires, we must seriously consider the risks certain chemicals pose to human health and the environment.
As research reveals more links between pervasive PFAS and illnesses like thyroid cancer, it becomes clear that past widespread exposure created public health crises. People are still grappling with the consequences of these crises today.
Although the transition away from toxic PFAS will take time, pursuing all options for support and change gives hope that future generations may be spared from preventable suffering. Through open-minded study of challenges like these, society can progress toward solutions that balance safety and sustainability.
