Firefighting Foam Lawsuit Updates
Since the 1940s, man-made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) were used in various applications including adhesives and coatings. The United States military began using firefighting foam containing these chemicals in the 1960s. The Environmental Protection Agency linked these substances to health hazards for firefighters and people residing near military bases or other places where the groundwater was contaminated.
Individuals who have suffered health issues and cities with toxins in their drinking water due to firefighting foam are filing lawsuits against the companies that manufacture these chemicals. There are currently over 2,000 lawsuits pending in multidistrict litigation based in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
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Individuals who have suffered health issues and cities with toxins in their drinking water due to firefighting foam are filing lawsuits against the companies that manufacture these chemicals. There are currently over 2,000 lawsuits pending in multidistrict litigation based in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is used to suppress liquid-based fires and is commonly used in places like airports and military bases where fires are inadvertently started by oil and fuel. Firefighting foam is a leading cause of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminating drinking water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances dissolve easily in water and contaminate natural areas that supply a local population with drinking water. Firefighting foam is used in fire suppression and mandatory testing at high-risk locations like airports, refineries, and military bases. The states that have banned aqueous film-forming foam still allow it in instances when there is no alternative solution.
The Department of Defense has identified 687 military installations that will require treatment for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances released by firefighting foam. The Department has already spent over $3 billion on this clean-up, including providing bottled water and installing water treatment facilities.
Health Risks from Exposure to Firefighting Foam
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances is known to harm the health of humans and wildlife. Hazards linked to these chemicals include multiple types of cancer, suppressed immune systems, and reproductive harm. These chemicals are known as forever chemicals and there is no way to remove them naturally from the environment. Municipalities affected by contaminated groundwater will be seeking remediation funds from companies that sold the firefighting foam.
Firefighters can be contaminated with these chemicals via inhalation or absorption through their skin. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, continued exposure to firefighting foam causes a build-up of toxins that can lead to health risks including thyroid disease, and testicular, kidney, and bladder cancers. It is now recommended that firefighters take precautions with their protective equipment and manage firefighting foam overflow.
Updates in Firefighting Foam Litigation
960s – U.S. Military Promotes Firefighting Foam
In 1967, a United States aircraft carrier stationed in Vietnam suffers a fire that kills over 100 sailors. The United States military formulates a military specification for an aqueous film-forming foam to protect the lives of its servicemembers.
2002 – 3M Stops Manufacturing Firefighting Foam
3M stops manufacturing aqueous film-forming foam under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency.
January 2, 2019 – Case Management Order No. 1
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation determines that the personal injury lawsuits regarding aqueous film-forming foams have similar enough issues to be consolidated to the United States District Court of South Carolina. On January 2, 2019, the District of South Carolina issues Case Management Order No. 1, which provides details about how the aqueous film-forming foams personal injury litigation will be handled.
March 20, 2019 – Case Management Order No. 2
The District of South Carolina issues Case Management Order No. 2 that identifies Plaintiff and Defense leadership teams.
Where is this litigation headed?
The upcoming trials in the District of South Carolina will decide legal issues and compensation amounts that will set the tone for the remaining 2,000+ plaintiffs. With the prevalence of firefighting foam contaminating drinking water across the country, there could be countless cases of individuals harmed by the chemicals released into the environment. States will also be looking to perform remedial action to clean up tainted groundwater and seek compensation from the manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Firefighting foam is still approved for use in instances where there is no alternative fire suppressant available. Despite the fact that some states have banned the manufacturing of firefighting foam, it is still approved for use in emergency fire fighting situations. These instances are still at risk of polluting drinking water with harmful forever chemicals and are treated with a full spill response. The National Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense to ensure that an alternative is found by October 1, 2023. It can be anticipated that continued exposure to firefighting foam will create a litigation trend going forward.
