Chelsea Dickerson
Dickerson Oxton attorney Chelsea Dickerson is a dedicated advocate for injury victims, focusing her practice on personal injury and mass tort litigation. As co-founder of the firm, she has helped recover millions of dollars for clients in serious injury, trucking accident, motorcycle accident, and wrongful death cases. Chelsea is known for her aggressive, evidence-driven approach and her commitment to holding insurance companies and negligent parties accountable. She also represents consumers nationwide in complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a type of foam widely used in firefighting, by industrial facilities, and by the military that contains hazardous chemicals, potentially causing severe health risks and environmental damage. Legal remedies are available to those who have experienced AFFF exposure, and a seasoned Missouri personal injury lawyer can help affected parties understand and fight for their legal rights. Dickerson Oxton has provided high-quality legal services to the Missouri community for more than a decade, with 81 years of combined experience, has secured $100 million+ in settlements for their clients, and features attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers for 2025. To schedule a free, initial discussion of your case, call us today at (816) 542-6599.
What Are the Health Risks and Legal Remedies of AFFF Exposure?
Exposure to AFFF can damage the environment and harm humans and animals. Some examples of the health issues caused by firefighting foam exposure include cancer, liver damage, and adverse effects on the reproductive and immune systems. Those exposed to AFFF who develop health issues may be eligible for compensation through a product liability legal claim, allowing plaintiffs to hold AFFF manufacturers accountable.
Summary of AFFF Health, Legal, and Environmental Impacts
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) contains PFAS chemicals linked to environmental contamination and serious health conditions, and affected individuals may pursue legal remedies through product liability claims. Here is a summary of the AFFF health, legal, and environmental impacts:
- AFFF has been widely used by firefighters, the military, airports, and industrial facilities, and its PFAS components persist in soil and water, creating long-term exposure risks.
- Reported health concerns associated with PFAS exposure include certain cancers, liver damage, immune system effects, and reproductive and hormonal disruption, with risk often increasing after prolonged or repeated contact.
- Legal claims related to AFFF exposure commonly consider exposure duration, illness severity, medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic harms such as pain and suffering.
Dickerson Oxton, a Missouri-based law firm that handles personal injury and mass tort matters involving environmental contamination and toxic exposure, can assist with AFFF-related legal claims.
What Is AFFF?
AFFF is a firefighting tool used to extinguish fires that have started by flammable liquids. The foam contains a combination of chemicals and water, creating a heat-resistant and thin foam on a liquid’s surface, which prevents reignition, represses vapor release, and stops fuel sources from receiving oxygen. AFFF is often in concentrated form and combined with water prior to use.
Is AFFF Environmentally Friendly?
AFFF is highly effective at dousing fires but can harm the environment because it contains fluorosurfactants, a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) informally referred to as “forever chemicals”. These substances disintegrate very slowly due to their high resistance to water, heat, and oil. This means they can accumulate in living organisms, water, and soil, damaging ecosystems and resulting in various adverse health issues for animals and humans, including liver damage, cancer (as indicated by the National Cancer Institute), thyroid disruption, high blood pressure, hormonal changes, and immune system and reproductive impacts.
What Is AFFF Compensation?
AFFF compensation refers to the damages victims can potentially recover in AFFF lawsuits. While the amount of compensation available in these claims depends on the circumstances of the case, claims involving direct and severe illnesses typically result in higher levels of compensation compared to cases related to limited exposure to AFFF. The following are some of the factors that can influence possible levels of compensation received by plaintiffs:
- Exposure duration and levels: Significant and prolonged exposure to AFFF typically leads to strong cases. Airport workers, military personnel, and firefighters who frequently handle or work in proximity to foam may fall into this category.
- Illness severity: If a medical professional diagnoses an individual with cancer or another severe, life-changing illness caused by PFAS exposure, this can dramatically affect a potential settlement. Influencing factors include the need for ongoing medical care, overall health implications, and forecasts of future health.
- Pain and suffering: In addition to economic losses, non-economic damages may be recoverable for those suffering an AFFF-linked illness, such as reduced quality of life, emotional distress, and physical pain.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: If an AFFF-related condition prevents a victim from working or affects their ability to work at a later date, they could be eligible for compensation covering income losses.
- Medical costs: A settlement usually includes reimbursement for the victim’s previous and future medical expenses, including medications, ongoing treatments, doctor visits, and surgical procedures.
The strength of the plaintiff’s evidence and the impact of exposure to AFFF on the victim’s life significantly affect the case’s outcome. To improve their chances of securing a fair settlement, victims can document their medical condition and exposure history, obtain copies of medical records, and secure testimonial evidence from medical professionals. Learn more about the consequences of AFFF exposure, as well as the available legal remedies, and discover how a knowledgeable Kansas City mass tort attorney can assist with AFFF-related claims by contacting Dickerson Oxton today.
Is AFFF Regulated?
Despite an increasing awareness of AFFF’s dangers, firefighting units and the military continue to use the foam in limited circumstances due to its highly effective firefighting capabilities, particularly in situations where a fast response to tackling fuel-based fires is necessary. That said, state and federal regulatory developments are progressively focusing on managing the release of this foam during testing, use, or disposal, as well as phasing out foam products containing PFAS. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established detailed regulations concerning how to safely dispose of AFFF and other firefighting foams, and several states have implemented laws to address foam release and restrict usage, although Missouri has yet to do so. Alongside this, the National Defense Authorization Act established compulsory requirements for phasing out firefighting foams containing PFAS in the military, setting civilian application precedents.
In June 2025, Kansas City announced its intention to file a lawsuit linked to environmental pollution attributable to PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams, as part of local government efforts to hold manufacturers of chemicals found in AFFF and similar foams accountable for the pollution caused by these substances. Specifically, the legal action centers on AFFF use at or close to aviation and water facilities.
How To Get Rid of AFFF Foam
Proper containment and disposal of AFFF can help minimize harm to humans and the environment. Below is an explanation of how to contain and dispose of AFFF.
AFFF Containment
Industry standards for containing AFFF include developing detailed firewater runoff collection schemes for planned discharges and setting up emergency plans for unscheduled releases. Other practices encompass installing on-site containment systems, blocking neighboring sewer systems, and building temporary booms or bund walls.
AFFF Disposal
Post-containment, the AFFF can be safely transported to a disposal site by a hazardous waste disposal business. The most common AFFF disposal method is incinerating the material at a high temperature. This involves heating the AFFF to a minimum temperature of 1000℃ for at least two seconds.
Who Is at Risk of AFFF Exposure?
Individuals most at risk of aqueous film-forming foam exposure include firefighters and military personnel. Firefighters and military personnel may come into frequent contact with AFFF during firefighting operations and training exercises. Airport staff working near where fuel fires occur, as well as residents living near areas where firefighters have used AFFF, and other emergency service personnel who attend incident scenes involving AFFF use (such as police officers and paramedics) may also be at risk.
What To Do if Exposed to AFFF
If exposed to AFFF, visit medical professionals frequently to check for cancer and other health concerns, particularly if exposed to AFFF and other PFAS-containing products for a prolonged period. Cancer symptoms can differ between cancer types, but the typical warning signs are fatigue, swelling or lumps, sudden weight loss, lower back or abdominal pain, and blood in stools or urine.
Contact a Kansas City Mass Tort Attorney Today
In recent years, disconcerting links between various cancer types and AFFF have come to light, resulting in those who have experienced foam exposure, such as military personnel and firefighters, initiating lawsuits. If suffering from health issues following exposure to AFFF, victims might be able to file a legal claim to recover lost income, medical expenses, and other damages. To understand more about AFFF exposure and discuss your case with an experienced Kansas City personal injury attorney from Dickerson Oxton, call (816) 542-6599 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About AFFF
The following are frequently asked questions about exposure to AFFF, including health, environmental, and legal repercussions.
What Is Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)?
AFFF is a firefighting foam designed to suppress fires fueled by flammable liquids. The foam works by creating a thin, heat-resistant layer that limits oxygen and prevents reignition, but it contains PFAS chemicals that persist in the environment.
Why Is AFFF Considered a Health Concern?
PFAS chemicals found in AFFF break down very slowly and may amass in the human body over time. Scientific and regulatory sources have linked certain PFAS exposures to cancer, liver damage, thyroid interference, immune system impacts, and reproductive issues.
Who Is Most at Risk of AFFF Exposure?
Individuals with frequent or long-term contact face a higher risk, including firefighters, military personnel, airport workers, and emergency responders. Residents living near training sites, airports, or facilities where AFFF was repeatedly used may also experience exposure through contaminated water or soil.
How Does AFFF Affect the Environment?
PFAS chemicals can migrate through groundwater and remain in soil and water for decades. This persistence can disrupt ecosystems, contaminate drinking water sources, and expose wildlife and nearby communities to ongoing health risks.
What Types of Legal Claims Arise From AFFF Exposure?
Many AFFF cases proceed as product liability claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing foams. These claims often allege that the products posed unreasonable risks and that adequate warnings or safer alternatives were not provided.
What Factors Influence Potential AFFF Compensation?
Compensation considerations may include the length and intensity of exposure, the severity of the diagnosed illness, medical treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and documented pain and suffering. Each claim depends on individual facts and supporting evidence.
Is AFFF Use and Disposal Regulated?
Federal and state authorities have increased oversight of AFFF use, testing, and disposal due to PFAS risks. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued disposal guidance, and federal law has required the military to phase out PFAS-containing foams, while state-level approaches continue to evolve.
What Steps Are Often Recommended After Suspected AFFF Exposure?
Medical monitoring is commonly advised, particularly for individuals with prolonged exposure histories. Maintaining records of exposure locations, job duties, and medical evaluations can also be important if health concerns later arise.
How Can Dickerson Oxton Assist With AFFF-Related Matters?
Attorneys at Dickerson Oxton work to ensure individuals affected by AFFF exposure understand their rights and potential legal paths. Consider visiting with an experienced attorney at Dickerson Oxton to learn more about available options related to toxic exposure and mass tort claims.