Published: March 09, 2025 | By Steven Davis & Chad Finley, Partners at THL Law Firm
If you’re a firefighter, military veteran, airport worker, or someone living near a military base or industrial site, you may have heard about the ongoing lawsuits surrounding AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) and its dangerous “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. These chemicals, found in firefighting foam and turnout gear, have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues. As of 2025, litigation against AFFF manufacturers is heating up, and affected individuals are seeking justice.
In this detailed 2025 update, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the AFFF lawsuit landscape—what AFFF is, how PFAS exposure happens, the health risks involved, what manufacturers knew, and how you can take action if you’ve been affected. As top lawyers at THL Law Firm specializing in mass torts, we’re here to provide expert insights and guide you through this complex issue.
What Is AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam)?
AFFF, short for aqueous film-forming foam, is a firefighting foam developed in the 1960s through a collaboration between 3M and the U.S. Navy. Often referred to simply as “firefighting foam,” AFFF was designed to extinguish dangerous flammable liquid fires—like jet fuel or chemical fires—by forming a film that smothers the flames and prevents reignition. It’s been widely used in high-risk settings such as:
- Military bases (airfields, shipyards, and training facilities)
- Airports (both in ventilation systems and by personnel)
- Aircraft carriers
- Industrial plants handling chemicals or fuel storage
While AFFF is highly effective at putting out fires, it contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—also called “forever chemicals”—which don’t break down naturally in the environment or the human body. These chemicals are at the heart of the AFFF lawsuits.
What Are PFAS Forever Chemicals?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals known for their durability and resistance to heat, water, and oil—properties that make them ideal for firefighting foam and turnout gear. However, these same traits make them dangerous. PFAS compounds like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time, posing significant health risks.
How Much PFAS Is in AFFF?
The exact amount of PFAS in AFFF varies depending on the product and manufacturer. Early formulations contained long-chain PFAS like PFOS, which were phased out by 3M around 2002 due to health and environmental concerns. Modern AFFF products now use shorter-chain PFAS, such as PFBS, but the precise concentrations remain proprietary information, often shielded by confidentiality in litigation. What we do know is that PFAS levels in AFFF can be extraordinarily high—especially for those directly handling it.
What’s a “Safe” Level of PFAS Exposure?
“Safe” levels of PFAS exposure are incredibly low and have been revised downward over time as research reveals their dangers. For example:
- In 2009, the EPA set provisional health standards for PFOA and PFOS at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) in drinking water.
- By 2024, the EPA updated this to a mere 4 ppt, reflecting growing evidence of PFAS toxicity.
To put this in perspective, testing near military bases has revealed PFAS levels as high as 13 million ppt in soil and water—far exceeding safe limits and showing the scale of contamination.
How Are People Exposed to PFAS in AFFF?
Exposure to PFAS from AFFF happens in two main ways: direct exposure (for those working with it) and indirect exposure (through environmental contamination). Here’s how it breaks down:
Direct Exposure
- Firefighters: Spraying AFFF during emergencies or training, inhaling aerosols, or absorbing it through skin contact—even with protective gear.
- Military Personnel: Installing or using AFFF systems on bases, airfields, or ships.
- Airport Workers: Handling AFFF in ventilation systems or fire suppression.
Those working directly with AFFF face repeated, high-concentration exposure, leading to significantly elevated PFAS levels in their blood compared to the general population.
Indirect Exposure
- Groundwater and Drinking Water: AFFF runoff from training or fire suppression seeps into soil, contaminates wells, and enters municipal water systems.
- Communities Near High-Use Sites: People living near military bases, airports, or industrial plants are at risk from contaminated water or soil.
Because PFAS doesn’t degrade naturally, it lingers in the environment, making remediation costly and time-consuming.
Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure
The health consequences of PFAS exposure are severe and well-documented. Studies have connected PFAS to:
- Cancers: Kidney and testicular cancer
- Thyroid Disease: Disrupting hormone function
- Liver Damage: Affects metabolism
- Immune System Dysfunction: Weakening the body’s defenses
- Developmental Issues: Impacting unborn children and young kids
For firefighters and others directly handling AFFF, the risks are amplified due to higher concentrations and repeated exposure through inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion.
What Did AFFF Manufacturers Know—and When?
One of the most shocking aspects of the AFFF litigation is how long manufacturers like 3M knew about PFAS dangers—decades before the public was informed. Key revelations include:
- 1997: A 3M chemist discovered PFOS in the blood of everyday people—not just workers—indicating widespread exposure. Yet, 3M continued producing PFOS-based products until 2000, when regulatory pressure forced a phase-out.
- Decades of Knowledge: Internal documents and studies show that manufacturers were aware of environmental and health risks since the 1960s, when AFFF hit the market.
- Secrecy: Formulas were treated as proprietary, delaying awareness among the military, regulators, and the public until the early 2000s.
This concealment prevented firefighters, military personnel, and communities from protecting themselves—fueling the current wave of lawsuits.
The AFFF Lawsuit Landscape in 2025
As of March 2025, AFFF litigation is a major focus of mass tort law. Lawsuits target manufacturers like 3M and others, alleging they knowingly produced and sold dangerous products without adequate warnings. Affected groups include:
- Firefighters: Exposed through foam and PFAS-laden turnout gear.
- Military Veterans: They were Stationed at bases where AFFF was heavily used.
- Civilians: Living near contaminated sites with PFAS in their water.
Litigation seeks compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering while also pushing for accountability and environmental cleanup.
How to Know If You Qualify for an AFFF Lawsuit
If you suspect PFAS exposure from AFFF or turnout gear has harmed you, here’s how to take action:
- Assess Your Exposure:
- Were you a firefighter, military member, or airport worker who used AFFF?
- Did you live near a military base, airport, or industrial site with known PFAS contamination?
- Have you been diagnosed with a related health condition (e.g., cancer, thyroid disease)?
- Get a Free Case Evaluation: Visit THL Law Firm’s website and click the “Free Case Evaluation” button. Answer a few simple questions about your exposure and health to see if you qualify.
- Work With Experienced Lawyers: If eligible, we’ll guide you through signing a contract and authorizing us to gather your medical, employment, or military records. From there, we build a strong case to hold manufacturers accountable.
Why Choose THL Law Firm for Your AFFF Lawsuit?
At THL, we’re not just lawyers—we’re advocates for justice. Partners Steven Davis (Director of Mass Torts) and Chad Finley bring decades of experience and a deep understanding of AFFF and PFAS litigation. We’re committed to:
- Expertise: Navigating the science and legal complexities of PFAS cases.
- Compassion: Supporting clients facing health challenges from exposure.
- Results: Fighting tirelessly to secure compensation and accountability.
FAQs About AFFF and PFAS Lawsuits
Exposure began in the 1960s with AFFF’s development and grew in the 1970s as its use expanded across military, aviation, and industrial settings.
Yes—PFAS from AFFF contaminates groundwater, wells, and municipal water, affecting nearby communities.
Direct handlers face higher concentrations, repeated contact, and inhalation risks, leading to greater health impacts.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
The AFFF lawsuit fight is about more than compensation—it’s about holding manufacturers accountable for decades of deception and ensuring affected individuals get the support they deserve. If you or a loved one has been harmed by PFAS exposure, don’t wait. Visit THL Law Firm today for a free case evaluation and let us help you seek justice.
Steven Davis and Chad Finley are partners at THL Law Firm, specializing in mass torts and dedicated to representing victims of AFFF and PFAS exposure.
