Exposed to AFFF in oil, gas, or petrochemical industries? Industrial firefighters could qualify for claims

Firefighters working in the oil and gas industries are constantly exposed to hazardous chemicals. Tank farms and plants require regular testing of fire suppression systems and foam formulas. Firefighters are exposed to "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam when a high volume of foam is released, which happens when a fire breaks out or when foam is being tested. Many industries are still struggling to find effective replacements for fluorine-based foam, which means that active firefighters may still be exposed to legacy AFFF stocks and old equipment contaminated with AFFF.

AFFF exposure of industrial firefighters in petrochemical industries

The oil and gas sector has the highest risk of fire incidents. In 2025 alone, there were at least 12 fire incidents recorded, including a massive fire and explosion at a refinery in El Segundo, California. The oil and gas industry still has the highest demand for firefighting foam, accounting for 21.4 percent of the market share for all types of firefighting foam. Companies that store fuel on-site would install suppression systems to combat liquid fire in case of accidents. For decades, these suppression systems contained AFFF concentrate or AFFF mixtures that have cancer-causing chemicals. As an industrial firefighter, you may have been exposed to AFFF through the following:

• Responding to liquid fire emergencies. When industrial firefighters respond to oil and gas emergencies, they may be exposed to hundreds of gallons of AFFF mixture.
• Routine testing of AFFF equipment. Even without emergencies, firefighters still encounter AFFF during routine testing of suppression systems. During one routine test, thousands of gallons of AFFF can be discharged. Firefighters often wade through foam or handle equipment coated with residue, which can lead to skin absorption.
• Handling and mixing the AFFF concentrate. Some firefighting vehicles are equipped with foam concentrate, which is mixed with gallons of water before being released on site. If your duties included transporting tanks of foam concentrate or mixing the solution, you faced direct contact risks from leaks and spills.

Industrial firefighters are facing health risks after AFFF exposure

Former firefighters are facing the dangers of long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals, as AFFF-associated cancers have a latency period of up to 20 years. Many firefighters were unaware of the serious consequences of exposure to this foam, and some responders encountered it without full protective gear or even used it during events for civilian communities. At ELG Law, our lawyers can help you file an AFFF claim if you have proof of exposure and have been diagnosed with any of the following diseases associated with forever chemicals:

• Thyroid disease & cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Ulcerative colitis
• Kidney cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Liver cancer

For industrial firefighters: Contact ELG Law to file an AFFF claim

Many industries are still struggling to shift away from fluorine-based foam, and industrial firefighters remain at risk of exposure to forever chemicals. For industrial firefighters who had already been exposed to AFFF, their chances of developing cancer may have been elevated by these chemicals, and a diagnosis may come 10 to 20 years after exposure. If you have been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed above, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible to file an AFFF claim.