A new non toxic firefighting foam could soon be on the way following funding from the Department of Defense for research into PFAS alternatives.

PFAS Non Toxic Solutions

Most firefighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) solutions contain a type of man-made chemical compounds known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS chemicals are widely used around the world in a variety of industries.

Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals may have significant health consequences. According to these U.S. Fire Administration, these compounds can stay in the body for a long period of time. This can reportedly lead to thyroid problems and various cancers including testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.

Due to these health concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency phased out PFAS manufacturing in the United States. In order to further help protect firefighters from firefighter foam cancer, the Department of Defense has funneled around $10 million into researching a non toxic alternative to PFAS foams.

Since 2011, the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program have been looking into PFAS free firefighting foam. Christopher Higgins, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Colorado School of Mines, said that the research “encourages us to work across disciplines and outside our own university, even at locations throughout the world, to get the best minds to address this.”

Although no alternative has yet to be identified by the Defense Department, research reportedly continues with regular updates from a designated task force. However, FireStopper firefighting foam may be an option.

What is FireStopper?

FireStopper is a firefighting foaming catalyst which claims to be a non toxic way to stop all classes of fire. According to the FireStopper website, the firefighting foam disarms the fire’s catalyst opposed to smothering the oxygen fueling the fire. This reportedly helps extinguish “whatever it touches” and ensures that fire catalysts will not relight.

Is FireStopper Non Toxic & Safe?

The lack of toxins is something that is repeated in FireStopper marketing, with the product website claiming that FireStopper products are the “solution for the pollution.” The PFAS free firefighting foam reportedly seeks to address the high rate of cancer seen in firefighters by “greatly” reducing toxic exposure time. Instead of containing harmful toxins which cause severe eye injury, the foam reportedly contains chemicals which can be used to treat skin burns.

According to the FireStopper website, the PFAS free foam is also better for the environment than other firefighting foams. The non toxic nature of FireStopper products reportedly allow them to be washed down storm drains safely. Once the waste reaches water treatment plants, it can be safely separated – a process that reportedly “keeps the community safe from polluted drinking water.”

When a fish was exposed to the chemical, it reportedly survived. According to the FireStopper website, this is an indicator that the PFAS-free non toxic firefighting foam is safe in fresh or ocean waterways, unlike the current PFAS foam which allegedly contaminates groundwater with carcinogens.

Have You Previously Been Exposed to Toxic AFFF?

Although non toxic products like FireStopper seek to address the toxic chemicals the firefighters are forced to work with, many firefighters are still exposed to toxic AFFF solutions. Following this exposure, firefighters may experience life threatening cancers. A variety of cancers may be associated with PFAS firefighting foam, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer

Although the injuries, deaths, and financial harm from toxic exposure can be life altering, there may be compensation available to compensate firefighters for these damages. Taking action in a firefighter foam cancer lawsuit could recover significant compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death, and more.

If you or someone you love developed cancer after being exposed to firefighting foam, you may have a legal claim. Fill out the form on this page now to find out if you qualify to participate in a free firefighting foam lawsuit investigation.

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