A group of firefighters has filed a lawsuit against several major chemical companies, alleging severe health issues due to exposure to toxic firefighting foam. The complaint was filed by Joseph Canfill and 11 other plaintiffs in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on September 5, 2024, targeting companies like 3M Company and others.
The plaintiffs, who served as firefighters in various capacities, claim that they were exposed to Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), which contains harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are known for their persistence in the environment and their ability to accumulate in human blood over time. According to the complaint, "Defendants collectively designed, marketed, developed, manufactured, distributed, released, trained users, produced instructional materials, sold and/or otherwise handled and/or used AFFF with knowledge that it contained highly toxic and long-lasting PFASs." The plaintiffs argue that this exposure has led to severe health issues such as prostate cancer, leukemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), thyroid disease, follicular lymphoma, kidney cancer, and other ailments.
The plaintiffs' allegations are rooted in decades of research indicating the dangers of PFAS. By the end of the 1960s and into the 1970s and 1980s, studies showed that these chemicals could cause liver damage, testicular tumors, and other adverse health effects in animals. Despite this knowledge, the defendants continued to produce and distribute AFFF containing PFAS without adequate warnings or safety measures. The complaint states that "Defendants did not seek or obtain permission or consent from Plaintiffs before engaging in such acts and/or omissions that caused...the contamination of Plaintiffs’ blood and/or bodies with PFAS materials."
The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief to prevent further harm from these chemicals. They also demand equitable relief for medical monitoring due to their increased risk of developing serious health conditions linked to PFAS exposure. Additionally, they seek declaratory relief to hold the defendants accountable for their actions.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys specializing in environmental law. The case is being overseen by Judge [Name] under Case ID: 2:24-cv-02183.