Can AFFF Exposure Cause Kidney Cancer in Firefighters?

Not everyone realizes that every time firefighters are on duty to extinguish risky flames, their lives are in danger. Most people would think it’s because of the untamable flames. Instead, it’s the firefighting foam, or AFFF, used to control the fire that’s to blame.

AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) is considered toxic because of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in it. The ‘Environmental Protection Agency’ and the ‘U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ stated that almost every person has small amounts of PFAS in their bloodstream. In most cases, it’s not harmful.

However, the U.S. Fire Administration said that people begin to suffer when there is long-term exposure to the AFFF. In such a case, the PFAS chemicals accumulate in the body and can lead to chronic ailments, including cancer. Kidney cancer is one of the common diseases that this chemical causes. 

We will discuss it in this article and also focus on how to seek legal compensation.

Ricky Cranford Shares His Suffering From AFFF Exposure

Ricky Cranford, Sr., is a retired Arkansas firefighter who recently filed an AFFF lawsuit about his kidney cancer after getting exposed to PFAS. He used the toxic firefighting foam throughout his career during response and training exercises.

His lawsuit seeks compensation for damages from various safety devices and chemical manufacturers. Cranford shared that the defendants didn’t warn the firefighters about the dangers of AFFF. It automatically placed the first responders at risk of chronic ailments, including kidney cancer.

Cranford also mentions that he was exposed to this dangerous foam between 1996 and 2024. During this time, he was working as a firefighter for the Arkansas Fire Department. He claims that the manufacturers used deceptive marketing strategies and false statements to sell the foam. It made people at large believe that the protective gear would keep others secure from AFFF exposure. But the outcome was the opposite.

It was in 2014 that Cranford was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The lawsuit filed by him includes claims for negligence, failure to warn, and defective design. Currently, he is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages. 

PFAS Exposure Made Watkins Undergo Nephrectomy

In January 2022, Thomas Watkins, who used to be a U.S. Air Force firefighter, and Dorothy, his wife, filed an AFFF lawsuit. In their complaint, they alleged names like BASF Corporation, Du Pont, and 3M Company for PFAS exposure that led to his cancer diagnosis.

He also shared that in July 2006, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. After that, he had to undergo a nephrectomy in the right kidney. Similar to Cranford, even Watkins mentioned in his lawsuit that he was unaware of the link between the toxic firefighter foam and cancer until January 2021. 

Studies Linking AFFF Exposure With Kidney Cancer 

The ‘International Agency for Research on Cancer’ sponsored several studies that linked kidney cancer with PFAS exposure. The ‘American Cancer Society’ and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) also carried out similar studies. Both organizations concluded that AFFF is a human carcinogen. 

The majority of studies carried out on PFAS and cancer risk concentrated on the cohorts of non-Hispanic white participants. The researchers in the ‘Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch’ leveraged information from a Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). Using this data, they led the first study to understand the connection between PFAS in blood levels and kidney cancer in various ethnic and racial groups.

The outcome of this study has been published in the September 2023 issue of ‘Environment International’.

Earlier, the research team discovered that increased concentrations of PFOA (perfluorooctanoate) in blood levels are linked with kidney cancer. This was mentioned in the ‘Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial’ that mostly comprised non-Hispanic white people. A positive connection between PFOA and kidney cancer was seen in non-Hispanic white individuals. 

Finally, the researchers realized that increased levels of perfluorooctanoate (PFNA) in the blood, which is yet another type of PFAS, caused kidney cancer in the concerned population. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shared that African American participants recorded a higher mix of PFOS and PFNA compared to the Hispanic white members. 

The Symptoms of Kidney Cancer 

Renal cell carcinoma is a common kidney cancer prevalent in adults. Kids are likely to get diagnosed with Wilms tumor, which is another type of cancer. Unfortunately, kidney cancer doesn’t show any symptoms or signs during the early stages. 

Firefighters and others affected by AFFF exposure tend to find out about this disease at later stages. By that time, enough harm is done. However, it is necessary to be aware of a few symptoms, such as:

• The presence of blood in urine might, at times, look like a pink shade.
• Loss of appetite.
• Pain at the side or back that doesn’t fade away.
• Sudden weight loss.
• Fever and fatigue.

If you notice these signs for a while, you must check with a doctor and get a diagnosis. It is necessary to start the treatment as soon as possible before things get worse. 

Navigating the Legal Landscape

Have you been diagnosed with kidney cancer because of AFFF exposure? If so, it is necessary to take legal action. However, first, you need to seek medical aid and get the necessary treatments started. It’s crucial to arrest the cancer cells so that your health doesn’t deteriorate. Also, once you have the required medical data, it will be helpful to walk the legal path.

Don’t take on this legal battle all by yourself, as you might land in trouble. Instead, TorHoerman Law suggests you consult a lawyer and share your case details with them. After going through it, they will determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit. Once you are, work closely with your lawyer and provide them with other evidence that they need.

Your lawyer will use these proofs to develop a strong case and ensure you get the compensatory amount you deserve. It can cover your suffering, damages, and ongoing medical expenses.

Summing up, it is a known fact that AFFF exposure leads to adverse health hazards and chronic ailments. Kidney cancer is a common disease that firefighters like Ricky Cranford and Thomas Watkins suffered from. The sad part is that firefighters get to know of this much later when ample harm has already been done. 

Therefore, existing firefighters and others at risk for PFAS exposure should exercise caution. If affected by this toxic foam, you should seek both medical and legal aid.