Health Issues That Can be Caused by Firefighting Film Forming Foam

Firefighting film-forming foam is a type of fire protection that protects structures and equipment from liquid fires. The film-forming foam protects by trapping the liquid inside. This can protect for up to 30 minutes, depending on the properties of the foam formula. However, certain health risks are associated with using this material as you breathe in it all day long. If you have used firefighting film-forming foam, you may have noticed that it smells after each use. It has been known to emit strong odors, which may cause burning sensations in your nose and throat when you inhale it again after cleaning it up. 

In addition, long-term exposure to chemicals such as AFFF can lead to cancer. Cancer is not only a deadly disease but also costs a lot of money to get treated. You should consider hiring an attorney for an AFFF cancer lawsuit so you can get maximum compensation for your treatment. Read on if you’d like to learn more about the health issues caused by working with this material regularly.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a type of lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. This can be caused by several factors, such as smoking, illness, or age. However, a significant risk factor for this condition is inhaling harmful fumes in firefighting film-forming foam. 

The fumes emitted by this foam are incredibly harmful to your lungs and can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When exposed to this foam, your lungs constantly have to fight against it. As a result, they will lose their normal elasticity and strength, making it difficult for you to breathe normally. This condition can also cause inflammation, infections, and lung scarring, increasing your risk of developing lung cancer. 

Emphysema

People with emphysema constantly breathe in small amounts of air, whether inhaling or exhaling it. This causes the airways in your lungs to become narrow and damaged. When this happens, you can’t breathe in normally. You will only be able to take short breaths and feel like you are struggling to breathe. The condition of emphysema can be caused by smoking or many other factors. There is some evidence that firefighting film-forming foam may also be linked to the development of this condition. 

Asthma

Asthma is a condition that causes frequent, unpredictable breathing disturbances. These are known as bronchial spasms and can cause a person to feel as if their breathing is restricted. The condition is often treated with the use of an inhaled beta-agonist. However, this can cause the person to be exposed to harmful substances such as firefighting film-forming foam. 

Bacterial Infection

Some health issues have been associated with the use of firefighting film-forming foam. One of these is the development of bacterial infections. When inhaling or touching the foam, you are putting yourself at risk of developing an infection. The bacteria commonly found on human skin are extremely harmful to the lungs. 

Conclusion

Firefighting film-forming foam is a type of foam that is used to fight liquid fires. It is a type of liquid fire protection but is commonly exposed to harmful fumes that can cause serious health issues.