Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manmade chemicals that are used in many household and industrial products. These products include aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a substance used by firefighters and emergency response crews to put out fires and keep them from reigniting.
When people come into contact with PFAS, whether it’s through AFFF or other products containing them, the chemicals are absorbed by their bodies and bloodstreams where they remain indefinitely.
Because of this, PFAS are known as “forever chemicals.” The more a person is exposed to PFAS, the more it accumulates in their body and the greater their risk of health problems, including cancer.
A June 2023 study published in the Annals of Global Health says that companies who use PFAS in their products knew the risks they pose to humans, including an elevated risk of cancer, as far back as 1970. However, the link wasn’t proven by the scientific community and made known to the public for another 40 years.
Some of the most common and serious types of cancer linked to PFAS exposure include:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
People who are exposed to PFAS often come into contact with it in the course of their work. Workers who are most commonly exposed to PFAS and AFFF include:
- Firefighters
- Airport workers
- Highway emergency response workers
- Military personnel
- Chemical plant workers
- And more
PFAS are also found in many household products, such as cleaning solutions, water-resistant fabrics used to make jackets and tents, nonstick cookware, shampoo, makeup, and stain-resistant coatings used on flooring.
Recent evidence shows that PFAS isn’t just found in consumer and industrial products. It’s also found in drinking water in many communities throughout the U.S., putting potentially millions of people at risk of developing health problems and cancers linked to PFAS exposure.
In June 2023, three companies that produce PFAS—Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva—announced they would pay more than $1 billion to settle an initial wave of claims concerning their role in contaminating water supplies nationwide.
Whether you were exposed to PFAS through AFFF, contaminated drinking water, or another product, you deserve compensation if that exposure caused you to develop any of the cancers listed above. Moreover, the companies that continued to produce products containing PFAS despite knowing the risks they pose to humans deserve to be held accountable for their negligence.
At Ferrer, Poirot & Wansbrough, we are helping victims of PFAS get the compensation they’re owed for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Reach out to us anytime for a free case review and to learn how we can help you and your loved ones move forward with your lives after such a devastating diagnosis.