How to Determine If You Have Been Exposed to AFFF Firefighting Foam

You might ask if you have touched afff foam. First, think about your jobs or places you have been. Did you work near firefighting, military bases, airports, or chemical plants? People often get exposed during emergencies or training with afff. Finding out early can help keep you healthy.

Quick Risk Factors Checklist:

• Worked as a firefighter

• Helped put out fires at airports or oil places

• Took part in training with fire suppression foam

• Had skin contact or breathed it in during events

If any of these fit you, learn more and protect yourself.

Key Takeaways

• AFFF foam helps put out fires with flammable liquids. It has PFAS chemicals that can stay in your body. People who use AFFF foam, like firefighters and military workers, have a higher chance of health problems. These problems can include some types of cancer. If you touch AFFF foam, wash your skin and eyes right away. Take off any clothes that got foam on them to lower harm. Look for signs like skin rashes, eye problems, or trouble breathing after being near AFFF foam. Go to a doctor if you notice these symptoms. Keep notes about when you were around AFFF foam. Get health checkups often to find any problems early.

AFFF Foam Exposure Risks

Occupational Risk Factors

Your job can make you more likely to touch AFFF foam. Some jobs mean you work with this fire suppressant. Firefighters use AFFF to put out fires with flammable liquids. Military workers may use aqueous film forming foam in training or emergencies. Airport workers, especially fire rescue teams, use AFFF for jet fuel fires. Oil refinery and chemical plant workers might see firefighting foam during drills or real emergencies.

You can also be exposed if you work at training centers using AFFF for practice. Support staff like mechanics or cleanup crews may touch AFFF foam during maintenance or after spills. If you work in these jobs, learn the risks and protect yourself.

Common Jobs with AFFF Exposure

• Firefighters (municipal, industrial, airport)

• Military personnel (especially Navy and Air Force)

• Airport fire rescue teams

• Oil refinery and chemical plant workers

• Training facility staff

• Emergency response teams

AFFF foam has chemicals called PFAS. These chemicals can build up in your body. If you use AFFF often, you may have more health risks. Some studies show firefighters exposed to AFFF have more PFAS in their blood. These chemicals can stay in your body for years.

Common Environments

AFFF foam is found in places where flammable liquid fires can happen. Airports use AFFF in fixed systems and portable extinguishers. Military bases with aircraft use AFFF to put out fires fast. Oil refineries and chemical plants keep AFFF for emergencies. Training centers use AFFF foam to teach workers how to fight fires.

AFFF foam exposure happens in these places:

You can be exposed if you live near these places. PFAS chemicals from AFFF can get into water. This can affect people who do not work with firefighting foam.

AFFF foam is popular because it spreads fast over burning liquids. It makes a film that blocks oxygen and stops the fire. Suolong makes AFFF products for many of these places. Their foams help firefighters and emergency teams act quickly. Suolong’s AFFF foam is used in airports, oil refineries, and military bases worldwide. These products are made to put out fires with gasoline, jet fuel, and other flammable liquids.

How AFFF Foam Is Used

AFFF foam is used in different ways:

• Sprayed from fire trucks or hoses in emergencies

• Released from fixed systems in hangars or storage areas

• Used in portable extinguishers for small spills

• Applied during training to simulate real fires

AFFF foam is a firefighting foam that works well on flammable liquid fires. It is the first choice for many fire departments and industrial sites. Suolong’s AFFF products meet strict safety rules and are trusted by professionals.

Why These Groups Are at Risk

You are at higher risk if you use AFFF foam often. Firefighters and military staff may use it many times in their careers. Each use can mean skin contact, breathing it in, or even swallowing small amounts. PFAS chemicals in AFFF do not break down easily. They can build up in your body and the environment.

• AFFF has PFAS chemicals linked to health problems, including higher risks of testicular, kidney, and other cancers.

• Firefighters and military workers who use AFFF are at risk of long-term exposure.

• Some PFAS chemicals are now banned, but old AFFF may still have them.

• People living near places using AFFF may have more PFAS in their blood.

• Health problems linked to PFAS include asthma, immune system changes, cholesterol issues, fertility problems, liver damage, thyroid disease, and high blood pressure in pregnancy.

• Lawsuits continue against makers for not warning about cancer risks from PFAS in AFFF.

AFFF foam stays in the environment. It can move into water supplies. It is important to handle and throw away AFFF foam safely.

Key Facts About AFFF Foam Exposure

1. Firefighters exposed to AFFF with PFAS have more PFAS in their blood.

2. PFAS chemicals build up in the body, especially in the liver, kidneys, and brain.

3. Studies show more cancers among firefighters, including thyroid, kidney, bladder, testicular, prostate, and colon cancers.

4. Health agencies say some PFAS chemicals may cause cancer.

5. PFAS stays in the body for years, so health risks last long after exposure.

AFFF foam is still used for high-risk fires. Many airports, military bases, and industrial sites use it. Some places now use fluorine-free foams to help the environment. Suolong offers both regular AFFF and safer options for changing safety needs.

Symptoms of AFFF Exposure

If you touch AFFF, your body can react in many ways. Some symptoms happen fast. Others may not show up for years. Knowing what to watch for helps keep you safe.

Immediate Reactions

You might feel sick soon after touching or breathing in AFFF. These problems can start in minutes or hours. The most common fast symptoms are:

• Your skin may get red, itchy, or have a rash.

• Your eyes might burn, turn red, or have blurry vision.

• You could have trouble breathing, cough, or feel tightness in your chest.

• Your stomach may hurt, or you might feel sick, throw up, or have diarrhea.

• If AFFF stays on your skin too long, it can cause burns.

These problems can start quickly. How bad they are depends on how much AFFF you touch and how sensitive you are. Wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask can help stop these problems.

Common Immediate Symptoms Table

You might also feel tired or get a headache after being around AFFF. These symptoms usually go away after you clean your skin. If you feel very sick, see a doctor right away.

Long-Term Health Concerns

Some health problems from AFFF do not show up fast. If you are around AFFF a lot, you can have serious health risks later. This is because AFFF has chemicals called pfoa and pfos. These are called forever chemicals because they stay in your body and the environment for a long time.

Over time, you could have a higher chance of:

• Some cancers, like testicular, kidney, or breast cancer

• Problems with your immune system, so you get sick easier

• Thyroid disease, which can change your energy or weight

• High cholesterol, which can hurt your heart

• Liver damage

• Trouble having children

Researchers found that people who work with AFFF, like firefighters and military staff, have more pfoa and pfos in their blood. These chemicals can build up in your liver, kidneys, and brain. The more you use or touch firefighting foam, the higher your risk.

Cancer Risks Linked to PFAS in AFFF

Pfoa and pfos are the main chemicals in AFFF linked to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) now says pfoa causes cancer in people. Pfos might cause cancer. This means you should be careful if you are around AFFF foam.

You might not notice any problems for years after being around AFFF. Getting health checks can help find problems early. If you have worked with AFFF or lived near places where it is used, talk to your doctor about your risks.

What to Do If Exposed to Firefighting Foam

Immediate Actions

If you think you have touched afff foam, act quickly to lower your risk. Start by removing any clothing that got wet or dirty from the foam. Wash your skin with clean water and soap. Rinse your eyes with water if foam splashed into them. Do not use only water for cleaning equipment or surfaces. The Washington State Department of Ecology says you need special cleaning methods because PFAS chemicals in afff stick to surfaces. Use water mixed with co-solvents or cleaning agents. Sometimes, you need strong pH cleaners to help remove PFAS. Rinse everything many times. Simple water rinses do not work well. Deep cleaning helps stop PFAS from spreading and protects your health.

After cleaning, write down what happened. Make a timeline with dates, times, and places where you touched afff. List who was there and what you did. Take photos of any symptoms or foam spills. Keep medical records and symptom logs. Save documents like fire department assignments, training logs, and foam inventories. These records help doctors and lawyers understand your exposure.

Quick Steps Table

When to Seek Medical Help

You should talk to a doctor if you feel sick after touching afff. Tell your doctor about your exposure to afff and PFAS chemicals. Ask about blood tests to check PFAS levels. Share any new symptoms, like skin rashes, breathing problems, or stomach pain. Keep regular check-ups to watch for long-term health changes. Bring your exposure records and medical history to your appointment. Doctors need this information to help you get the right care.

Note: Early medical care helps find problems before they get worse. Always tell your healthcare provider about your work with afff or firefighting foam.

If you have trouble breathing, severe skin burns, or eye injuries, get emergency help right away. Quick action can prevent serious health problems.

Monitoring Health and Next Steps

Health Screenings

If you have worked with afff or spent time near places where it is used, you should watch your health closely. Regular health screenings help you find problems early. Doctors can check your blood for pfoa and pfos. These tests show if you have high levels of these forever chemicals. You should tell your doctor about your work with afff and any symptoms you notice. Ask about cancer screenings, liver tests, and thyroid checks. If you feel tired, have skin rashes, or notice changes in your health, write them down. Bring this list to your doctor. Early action helps you stay healthy.

Tip: Keep a health journal. Write down any new symptoms, doctor visits, and test results. This record helps you and your doctor track changes over time.

Legal and Professional Resources

If you have health problems after afff exposure, you may want legal help. Some law firms, like Oberheiden P.C., help people who have been exposed to afff and developed serious health issues. Their team includes former U.S. Attorneys and DOJ prosecutors. They offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options. You can talk to an afff attorney to see if you have a claim for compensation.

Military Justice Attorneys also support people exposed to firefighting foam. They help you gather evidence, talk to medical experts, and file legal claims. Their services are free unless you win your case. You can get a confidential consultation to learn more.

You can also find support from professional groups:

• The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) works to replace toxic foams with safer ones.

• The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) raises awareness about the risks of fluorinated chemicals and supports safer choices.

These groups give advice, share news, and help you stay safe at work. If you have questions about afff or forever chemicals, reach out to these organizations for help.

You can keep yourself safe from AFFF foam by learning your risks. Watch for any symptoms that might show up. Act quickly if you touch the foam. Getting help early and having health checks can protect you. Some health groups teach people about AFFF foam. But sometimes, there is not enough support or information. Always talk to trusted people if you have questions. Ask your doctor anything you do not understand. Stay updated about AFFF foam and Suolong products.

FAQ

What is AFFF Foam and why do people use it?

AFFF Foam stands for Aqueous Film Forming Foam. You use AFFF Foam to put out fires caused by flammable liquids. Firefighters, airports, and the military trust AFFF Foam because it works fast and covers fires quickly.

Can AFFF Foam exposure harm your health?

Yes. AFFF Foam contains chemicals called PFAS. These can build up in your body. You may face higher risks for some cancers, liver problems, and thyroid disease if you work with AFFF Foam often.

How do you know if you have touched AFFF Foam?

You may notice skin redness, rashes, or eye irritation soon after touching AFFF Foam. If you work with afff fire fighting foam or spend time near places using it, you have a higher chance of exposure.

What should you do if you get AFFF Foam on your skin?

Wash your skin right away with soap and water. Remove any clothing with AFFF Foam on it. If you feel sick or see a rash, talk to a doctor. Quick cleaning helps lower your risk.

Where can you find more information about safe AFFF Foam products?

You can visit Suolong’s website for details about AFFF Foam, afff fire fighting foam, and safer options. Suolong shares product guides and safety tips to help you stay informed.