AFFF Lawsuit in Virginia

A Summary of AFFF

Aqueous Film Forming Foam, or AFFF, is a suppressant used in military bases, oil refineries, chemical plants, rigs and airports on oil fires. Water is very ineffective on oil fires and the best way for firefighters to fight them is by blanketing the fire with a foam which separates the flames from the fuel surface. Think about a grease fire in a kitchen; the rule of putting out a grease fire is to cover it since water will only make it worse.

AFFF is made with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid). These chemicals are non-biodegradable which means when the foam is used, these chemicals will not break down in the surrounding environment. Also, one method of disposing of used AFFF is by hosing down the area with water and washing it into serer drains nearby. This allows the PFOA and PFOS chemicals to enter the water system and eventually make it into our drinking water. The CDC has stated that almost every American (including newborns) have these chemicals in their body.

What Major Damage Can AFFF Cause?

PFOA and PFOS are in a class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short. PFAS chemicals are known as “forever” chemicals because they will virtually never naturally break apart. When non-biodegradable ‘forever chemicals’ enters the bloodstream and organs, it can cause a lot of damage. Listed below are cancers that have been linked to AFFF exposure:

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

Areas in Virginia with Increased Risk of AFFF Exposure

Although there are more widespread contamination of PFAS chemicals, these are the areas which are high contamination zones in Virginia.

  • Joint Base Langley-Eustis near Hampton, VA and Newport, VA
  • Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress in Chesapeake, VA
  • Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA
  • Norfolk Virginia Naval Base in Norfolk, VA

Filing an AFFF Lawsuit with Douglas & London

If you or someone you know were contaminated with AFFF and are now diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, or ulcerative colitis, please feel free to contact our experts at Douglas & London. You may be entitled to compensation and you don’t pay unless we win. To apply for a free consultation, fill out the form on the side of the screen, chat with us or give us a call at (212) 566-7500.