AFFF exposure has been linked to ulcerative colitis

A large group of toxic chemicals used in diverse consumer and industrial products since the 1950s is collectively called PFAS or forever chemicals. Their stability and persistence in the environment have been a reason for concern. PFAS exposure can occur through contaminated drinking water, food, consumer products, and workplace exposures, including occupational exposure to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used by firefighters.

Evidence suggests a link between PFAS and ulcerative colitis

As per the National Academies Report, PFOS exposure leads to gastrointestinal inflammation that contributes to ulcerative colitis. A cohort study reported significantly higher PFOA levels in patients with ulcerative colitis than in the control group. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology reported increased PFAS levels in patients with late-onset ulcerative colitis, and PFAS induces a dysfunctional intestinal barrier, which leads to ulcerative colitis.

AFFF exposure in firefighting: a risk factor for ulcerative colitis

Firefighters have been exposed to PFAS through the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for decades. Here is a list of symptoms you need to look out for if you are a firefighter who used AFFF during your career:

• diarrhea, often with blood or pus
• abdominal pain and cramping
• urgency to defecate
• rectal bleeding
• fever
• inability to defecate
• unintentional weight loss
• fatigue

If you have any of the above symptoms, consult your physician as soon as possible because an early diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is crucial for your timely treatment.

We assist firefighters in filing an AFFF exposure claim

Our law firm has taken up toxic exposure claims for over three decades. If you worked as a firefighter and have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, we encourage you to contact us immediately. As a firefighter exposed to AFFF, you are entitled to receive compensation for your PFAS exposure-related disease. We will need your employment records and medical records to initiate the legal process.

Our attorneys will review your documents and determine whether you qualify to file a claim. We will work on further steps involved in the legal process and help you recover your rightful financial compensation.