Two House lawmakers, Billy Posey, R-Fla. and Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash, have proposed legislation to compensate military service members who were possibly exposed to cancer or other illnesses from chemicals used in fire retardants. The bill would create a fund to aid fire crew members who were exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foams.
The Environmental Protection Agency reported last year that PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate are two PFAS chemicals in foam used to fight fires on military installations. “One common characteristic of concern of PFAS is that many break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment [from] time-laden firefighting foams, subjecting them to higher rates of cancer and other serious health effects,” the EPA report said.[1]
PFAs can be found in many household products, but it is a key ingredient in military firefighting foams and is used as an alternative to water to extinguish flames on military bases and ships. Many Veterans have claimed that exposure to PFAs, and especially AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), have caused numerous health conditions, from liver damage, immune system dysfunction and cancer.
Gardberg and Kemmerly is open for calls and online assistance and will continue to help our Veterans in any way possible, including staying up to date on any information that is helpful to our Veterans who are suffering from health problems due to exposure. If you have a claim for disability and need assistance, please call our office and speak with one of our qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys. Gardberg and Kemmerly is committed to helping injured and disabled Veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. If you need help with a disability claim, call the office at 251-343-1111 or 1-800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama.
[1] https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-01-14/military-firefighters-cancer-pfas-foam-chemicals-12669163.html?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb&SToverlay=342f5a58-c37b-4142-b049-1f737335b507