Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)are man-made chemicals that have widely been used in industry and consumer
products since the 1940s. PFAS are extremely long-lasting chemicals that break
down very slowly over a long period of time, and thus, they are referred to as
“forever chemicals.” Because they are so widely used, PFAS can be found in human
and animal blood across the globe and can also be found in very low levels in a
variety of food products.
In larger doses, however, those, such as firefightersexposed to PFAS have developed serious health complications including avariety of cancers as alleged in the AFFFFirefighting Foam Lawsuit. There, firefighters exposed to PFAS anddeveloped certain health conditions including a variety of cancers filed a firefighting
foam lawsuit as did others around the country which have been transferred by
the Judicial Panel on Multidipanel Litigation. Read on to learn more about PFAS,
where it can be found and how you can be exposed. Firefighters who were exposed
to PSAF and subsequently have been diagnosed with cancer or another major
health condition, should contact FirefightingFoam Lawyer Timothy L. Miles about a FirefightingFoam Lawsuit.
What Do We Know about PFAS?
PFAS are man-made, manufactured chemicals usedin industry and consumer products that have been around since the 1940s because
of their useful properties. While there are literally thousands of PFAS, two of
the most widely used chemicals in the PFAS group, up until being replaced by
PFAS in the last few years The common characteristic and main concern with PFAS
is that many break down very slowly and can build up in humans and animals, not
to mention the environment.
What Products Contain PFASA?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS canbe found not only in our products, but our water, work and home, including:
· Fire extinguishing foam
· Drinking water
· Food
· Household products and dust
· Soil and water at or near wastesites
· Manufacturing or chemicalproduction facilities that produce or use PFAS
· Personal care products
· Biosolids
How are People Can Be Exposed to PFAS?
People can be exposed to PFAS in a varietyof ways and one studyhas shown most people in the United States have been exposed to some PFAS, most
in low amounts. However, can people can be exposed in high amounts,
specifically those who are exposed to a concentrated amount over a long period
of time which can accumulate in the body over time.
TheEPA, based on current research, says people can be exposed to PFAS by:
· Working in occupations such asfirefighting or chemicals manufacturing and processing.
· Drinking water contaminatedwith PFAS.
· Eating certain foods that maycontain PFAS, including fish.
· Swallowing contaminated soil ordust.
· Breathing air containing PFAS.
· Using products made with PFASor that are packaged in materials containing PFAS.
Is Exposure Really Harmful to Your Health?
Yes, as the EPA explains, based on currentscientific research high levels of exposure may lead to adverse health effects.
The current scientific studies haveshown expose to PFAS may lead to the following:
· Reproductive effects such asdecreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
· Developmental effects or delaysin children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations,
or behavioral changes.
· Increased risk of some cancers,including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
· Reduced ability of the body’simmune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
· Interference with the body’snatural hormones.
· Increased cholesterol levelsand/or risk of obesity.
Research is ongoing to better understand the health effects associated withlow levels of exposure to PFAS over long periods of time, especially in
children.
Conclusion
If you or a family memberworked as a firefighter and developed cancer, hyperthyroidism or ulcerative
colitis, contact FirefightingFoam Lawyer Timothy L.Miles you may be entitled to significant compensation. We take all cases on
a contingency basis which means we do not get paid unless we win your case.
Article discussing what everfirefighter needs to know about Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).