By Treven Pyles on January 26th, 2026 in PFAS/AFFF
California is home to more than 32K firefighters, many of whom have spent years responding to fuel-based fires or training drills where AFFF was regularly used. Even as stricter rules on these chemicals have recently been implemented, decades of exposure have already affected a large number of active and retired firefighters who handled firefighting foam.
The recent legislative measures don't introduce new science; they officially acknowledge that firefighting materials were dangerous for people's health:
Together, these laws validate decades of documented exposure. Research has indicated that PFAS chemicals in foam and equipment can impair the immune system response and cause inflammation in the body or lead to cancer onset years after exposure. Firefighters now have a stronger basis for health screenings and benefits claims under this official recognition.
Prior to California's regulation of firefighting foam and turnout gear containing PFAS, firefighters could track their own PFAS exposure, but there was no official and standardized record recognized by law. While it was known that PFAS was hazardous to one's health, without a legal framework in place, proving exposure for the purposes of medical monitoring or claim compensation was difficult.
SB 1044 & AB 1181/2084 bring a system supported by the state for documenting exposure, creating a clear access point for firefighters to receive monitoring and pursue a potential claim:
The California rules for PFAS do not guarantee compensation but provide firefighters with improved documentation for AFFF-related claims. Firefighters can now proactively track their health, monitor exposure over time, and take legal action with greater confidence.
Decades of neglected risk have been recognized, though the success of claims will still depend on individual cases. For guidance on your options, contact us to learn more about next steps.