AFFF Contamination in Maine

What Is AFFF Used For?

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a firefighting foam used to suppress petroleum-based fires. The foam is made out of a class of ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The specific types of PFAS chemicals found in AFFF are PFOA, the chemical used by Teflon, and PFOS, the ingredient found in 3M’s Scotchgard. They are called ‘forever chemicals’ because once they are released to the environment, they never break down.

How is AFFF Getting Into Our Bodies?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost all Americans, including newborns, have PFAS chemicals in their blood. The chemicals in AFFF gets into our system through the environment, mostly through our drinking water. When AFFF is discharged, it is absorbed in the surrounding environment and into drain systems which eventually makes its way to larger bodies of water. AFFF has been used for 50 years and is non-biodegradable which means that there’s potentially more PFOA and PFOS than what is being found in our water systems.

Side Effects of AFFF

When these non-biodegradable chemicals make it into bloodstreams and organs, they can cause major damage due to their inability to be broken down naturally. These are the side effects of exposure to AFFF:

  • Kidney cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Thyroid disease
  • Liver cancer
  • Ulcerative colitis

Areas of AFFF Contamination in Maine

Although there is PFAS contamination all over the United States, here are the locations in Maine that are major concerns of exposure due to AFFF:

  • Brunswick Naval Air Station in Cumberland County
  • Former Loring Air Force Base in Aroostook County
  • Houlton International Airport in Aroostook County
  • Navy VLF Transmitter Cutler in Washington County Maine
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in York County

Filing an AFFF Contamination Lawsuit

Those who live in the areas listed above and have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, or ulcerative colitis could be eligible for compensation. For a free consultation, fill out the form on this page, use the chat box to speak with a representative or give us a call at (212) 566-7500. You don’t pay unless we win.