What is AFFF?

AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) is a specialized firefighting foam used to rapidly suppress flammable liquid fires (Class B). It is widely used by the military, airports, oil refineries, and fire departments. AFFF contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including harmful chemicals like PFOA and PFOS. These substances are known for being highly persistent in the environment and the human body, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Health Risks & Symptoms

Exposure to PFAS in AFFF—through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact—has been linked to several serious health conditions:

• Cancers: Kidney, testicular, liver, bladder, prostate, thyroid, pancreatic, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
• Other health issues:
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • High cholesterol
  • Immune system suppression
  • Infertility and pregnancy complications
  • Delayed childhood development

Legal Cases Filed

All personal injury and water contamination cases related to AFFF have been consolidated under a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2873) in South Carolina.

As of July 2025, nearly 11,000 lawsuits are pending in this MDL.

These lawsuits are filed by:

• Firefighters, military personnel, and airport workers who were directly exposed to AFFF
• Communities and municipalities affected by PFAS-contaminated water supplies

Settlements & Compensation Totals

Major PFAS-related settlements include:

• 3M: Settled for over $10 billion in 2023 for contaminating public water systems
• DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva: Paid a combined $1.19 billion in 2024
• Tyco / Johnson Controls: Settled for approximately $750 million in 2024
• BASF: Reached a settlement of around $316.5 million
• 3M (New Jersey): Paid up to $450 million in a state-level settlement in 2025
• DuPont (Hoosick Falls, NY): Contributed to a settlement totaling $92 million, of which ~$27 million was specific to DuPont

Individual Lawsuit Settlement Projections:

• Top Tier: (e.g., kidney/testicular cancer + occupational exposure) $200,000–$600,000+
• Mid Tier: (e.g., thyroid disease, bladder cancer) $150,000–$300,000
• Lower Tier: (mild health issues or indirect exposure) $75,000 or less

Total PFAS Liability in the U.S.

By mid-2025, total PFAS-related legal settlements (including AFFF) are estimated to have reached approximately $18 billion.