In the largest study to date on the link between firefighting foam and kidney cancer risk, researchers found evidence to suggest that people with higher concentrations of PFAS in their blood serum were more than twice as likely to develop kidney cancer compared to those with lower concentrations of the chemicals.

PFAS/PFOA/PFOS Long-term exposure to PFAS/PFOA/PFOS, in high concentrations, causes a buildup in the body. This buildup may have negative health effects like a risk of thyroid disease and testicular, kidney and bladder cancers.

Prostate cancer is one of the types of cancer that has been linked to exposure to PFAS in firefighting foam. Individuals who were diagnosed with prostate cancer after years of regular exposure to firefighting foam have filed AFFF lawsuits.

Cancer diagnoses related to AFFF firefighting foam exposure can include the following: Kidney cancer. Pancreatic cancer. Testicular cancer.

Exposure to chemicals commonly found in most polyurethane foam products may cause serious or fatal respiratory disease. These chemicals are powerful irritants to the mucous membranes of the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory system.

Some common flame retardant chemicals are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer: Antimony trioxide. Chlorinated tris [tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate, TDCPP, and TDCIPP]. Pentabromodiphenyl ether (PentaBDE) mixture [DE-71 (technical grade)].

Some common flame retardant chemicals are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer: Antimony trioxide.

PFAS chemicals also include two other compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), that have been identified in firefighting aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

1–4 Through their occupation, firefighters are exposed to a wide variety of known and suspected carcinogens,1 including monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated organic compounds, some of which have been associated with PCa.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also identify that PFAS in AFFF are toxic and carcinogenic to animals and potentially to humans. They have conducted several studies which found that human exposure to PFAS results in a significantly increased rate of kidney, prostate and testicular cancer.

Still, a risk factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is exposure to PFAS, a group of over 9,000 toxic chemicals lurking in the fire suppressant AFFF. This fire suppressant has been widely and excessively used by civilian and military firefighters since 1967.

AFFF is highly concerning because it contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are toxic chemicals known to negatively impact human health and do not easily break down in the environment, waterways, wildlife, or human bodies. PFAS is linked to negative health impacts in humans, including cancer.