Firefighting Foam (AFFF) Exposure

Aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, has been used for decades to fight fuel fires at airports, military bases and industrial sites. Many foams contained PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS, and federal lawsuits allege those chemicals contaminated groundwater and harmed firefighters and nearby residents. In November 2026, 3M announced a settlement of up to $7.35 billion for people who say contamination made them sick. An AFFF lawyer can explain what the litigation and settlements mean for an individual case.

What AFFF is

Aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, is a firefighting foam used to put out fires fueled by flammable liquids. EPA lists AFFF as a source of PFAS and says it has been used in training and emergency response at airports, shipyards, military bases, firefighting training facilities, chemical plants and refineries1. Plaintiffs in the federal AFFF litigation allege that foams containing PFOA and/or PFOS contaminated groundwater near military bases, airports and industrial sites2.

Not every firefighting foam contains the same chemicals, and formulations have changed over time. The foam's maker, its type and the years it was used all matter.

Who may have been exposed

• Military and civilian firefighters who used or trained with AFFF
• Airport and aircraft rescue firefighters
• Workers at refineries, chemical plants and shipyards
• People whose drinking water came from wells or systems near sites where AFFF was used

EPA notes that occupations such as firefighting and drinking contaminated water are among the ways people can be exposed to PFAS1. For broader PFAS exposure, see our PFAS & Forever Chemical Exposure page.

What the health research shows

Health findings depend on the specific PFAS. ATSDR reports epidemiological associations between PFOA and kidney and testicular cancer, and between certain PFAS and higher cholesterol, lower vaccine response, liver enzyme changes and pregnancy-induced hypertension3. ATSDR also says the risk depends on dose, frequency, route and duration of exposure, and on individual factors3.

Where the AFFF litigation stands

Federal AFFF cases are centralized in MDL No. 2873 in the District of South Carolina before Judge Richard M. Gergel2. An MDL groups cases for pretrial work; it is not a class action, and each person's claim stays separate4. As of November 2, 2026, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation listed 15,270 actions pending in the MDL5.

Key developments

1. Earlier

   3M agreed to pay more than $10 billion to many U.S. public drinking water systems, and other manufacturers, including DuPont and its spinoffs, agreed to settlements totaling more than $1 billion6.

2. 2026

   Firefighter turnout gear claims that do not involve AFFF are centralized separately, in MDL No. 31917.

3. Nov. 4, 2026

   3M announced it will pay up to $7.35 billion over nine years to settle claims by as many as 120,000 people who say groundwater contamination made them sick. 3M did not admit liability, and it can cancel if too few plaintiffs participate6.

Settlement terms, deadlines and eligibility come from the settlement documents and court orders, which we review for each person. A news report of a settlement does not mean any individual qualifies.

Public water system settlements resolve claims by water providers. They do not, by themselves, resolve individual personal injury claims.

Who may have a claim

• Your work or military history with firefighting foam, with dates
• Where your drinking water came from, and when
• Water system notices or test results
• Your diagnosis, date and treating doctors
• Whether you have already filed or signed anything in the AFFF litigation

Who may be responsible

• Manufacturers of AFFF
• Manufacturers of PFAS chemicals used in AFFF
• Other companies, depending on the claim

Filing deadlines for AFFF claims

Exposure claims often follow discovery rules, and settlement programs have their own deadlines. Examples of state rules:

• Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death8.
• California: two years for personal injury9, and for toxic exposure, two years from the injury or from when the person knew or should have known of the injury and its likely cause, whichever is later10.
• New York: three years, measured from discovery of the injury for the latent effects of exposure to a substance11.
• Texas: two years for personal injury12; the 15-year product limit has an exception for some latent diseases from exposure13.

These examples are not complete, and other rules can apply. A product liability attorney can check the rules for your state early.

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Records that help

Records that can help

Exposure history

• Where you lived and worked, with dates
• Job titles, duties and employers
• Product names or labels, if known
• Fire department or military training records
• DD-214 or service records

Medical

• Diagnosis date and pathology reports
• Treating doctors and hospitals
• Family medical history, if known

Other

• Water bills or water system notices
• Union, military or training records

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How an AFFF review works

1. You tell us your history

   Your foam use or water source, and your diagnosis.

2. We place it in the litigation

   We check how your situation fits MDL 2873 and any settlement.

3. We review the records

   With your permission, we gather service and medical records.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you plainly what options may exist and which deadlines apply.

Firefighters were told the foam was a tool. Whether it caused a particular illness is a question of exposure and science, answered case by case.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Terms you may see in an AFFF case.

Chemical terms

PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of manufactured chemicals1.

PFOA and PFOS

Two of the most widely used and studied PFAS1.

Turnout gear

Firefighters' protective clothing, the subject of a separate MDL.

Health terms

Kidney cancer

One of the cancers ATSDR lists as associated with PFOA3.

Testicular cancer

Another cancer ATSDR lists as associated with PFOA3.

Claim terms

MDL

Multidistrict litigation: federal cases grouped for pretrial work4.

Opt-in threshold

A minimum participation level that lets a defendant cancel a settlement if too few people join.

Questions

Frequently asked AFFF questions

Short answers to the questions people ask first.

What is AFFF?

A foam used to fight flammable-liquid fires; EPA lists it as a source of PFAS1.

Is there an AFFF settlement for people who got sick?

3M announced on November 4, 2026 that it will pay up to $7.35 billion to settle claims by people who say groundwater contamination made them sick6. Eligibility depends on the settlement terms.

Does the water system settlement cover my illness?

No. Public water system settlements resolve water providers' claims, not individual injury claims.

Is the AFFF lawsuit a class action?

The federal cases are in an MDL, where each claim stays separate4.

Should I get a PFAS blood test?

Talk with your doctor. ATSDR says a blood test will not identify a current or future health problem14.

Are all firefighting foams the same?

No. Formulations differ by maker and era, so identifying the foam matters.

How long do I have to file an AFFF lawsuit?

State discovery rules often apply, such as New York's for latent exposure11. Settlement deadlines may be separate.

What does an AFFF attorney at CBW look at first?

Your exposure history, your water source, your diagnosis and whether you are already part of the litigation.

How much does it cost to talk to an AFFF lawyer at CBW?

Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Tell Us Your Story

The AFFF litigation is changing quickly, and settlement deadlines can matter.

Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about firefighting foam exposure. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Exposure, a diagnosis, a study association or a settlement announcement does not, by itself, establish causation, eligibility or legal responsibility. Litigation status, laws and deadlines change, and no outcome can be promised.