California Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF) Contamination Lawsuit

What is AFFF

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a firefighting suppressant which has been used to fight petroleum-based fires for over 50 years. This firefighting foam is primarily used by the military, firefighters and airports. It makes sense as to why firefighters would need a firefighting suppressant but the military and airports stock piles large amounts of gas in order to refuel large ships, jets, planes, etc.

The Side Effects of AFFF

When AFFF is discharged, it can be absorbed into the environment through the soil, surface water, groundwater or it can enter drain systems which carry it to bodies of water in remote locations. AFFF contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) which are both categorized as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These chemicals are known as C-8 chemicals due to their strong 8 carbon atom chain which are very hard to naturally breakdown.

PFAS Family Tree

When chemicals that don’t break enter your body, it can do major damage. AFFF has been linked to:

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

California AFFF Contamination

California houses a lot of military bases and the following forts, bases, and stations housed AFFF in their facilities.

  • Camp Pendleton (North) (PWS) in San Diego County
  • Camp Pendleton (South) (PWS) in San Diego County
  • El Toro Marine Corps Air Station near Irvine, CA
  • Former Castle AFB in Merced County
  • Former George AFB in San Bernardino County
  • Former March AFB in Riverside County
  • Former Mather AFB in Sacramento County
  • Former McClellan AFB in Sacramento County
  • Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey County
  • Fort Ord in Monterey County
  • Naval Air Station Alameda
  • Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake near Ridgecrest, CA
  • Naval Station Treasure Island in San Francisco, CA
  • Travis Air Force Base in Solano County
  • Twentynine Palms Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field in San Bernardino

AFFF has the potential to contaminate the water wells and systems that serve these areas and their surrounding areas.

Filing an AFFF Lawsuit in California

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.