PFAS and multiple myeloma: Linking exposure to cancer in maritime careers

Recent medical data and legal precedents have established that the more time a maritime worker spends in PFAS-exposed environments - especially through the unavoidable exposure to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) - the higher risk of developing multiple myeloma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

How PFAS can trigger multiple myeloma in seamen

For seamen, the multiple myeloma diagnosis is not just a matter of bad luck; it is viewed by the scientific community as a consequence of prolonged exposure to "forever chemicals." To understand why, we must look at the bone marrow, the "factory" where your body produces blood cells and where PFAS creates conditions for long-term harm.

Molecular mimicry

Chemicals like PFAS (specifically PFOA and PFOS) share similarities in structure with fatty acids that are utilized by the human body to produce energy. The similarity in molecular structure causes the body to misidentify these chemicals as harmless entities. Failing to recognize them as "invaders," it actively transports them into the bone marrow.

• Think of PFAS as a "Trojan Horse." Your body happily welcomes it inside, only for the chemical to begin breaking your immune system apart from the inside.

Chronic oxidative stress and DNA damage

Once settled in the bone marrow, PFAS create a state of chronic oxidative stress. This is not a mere inflammation, but a chemical assault on the DNA of your plasma cells.

• The science behind: PFAS disturb the mitochondrial function of cells, releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). These "free radicals" trigger ruptures in the DNA strands. When the body tries to repair these breaks incorrectly, it causes malignant mutations that define multiple myeloma.

The PFAS "shield" - preventing cancer detection

Normally, the immune system identifies and kills pre-cancer cells. However, PFAS are known to be immunosuppressive. They efficiently blind your natural killer (NK) cells.

• The science behind: By disrupting cytokine signaling, the body's internal alert system, PFAS allow malignant plasma cells to multiply undetected. This creates a sort of "shield" around the expanding cancer, allowing it to grow into a full-scale diagnosis before the body even realizes it's under attack.

Combined chemical hazards on ships

On a vessel, a seaman is almost never exposed to just one chemical substance. When mixed, AFFF and benzene (present in fuel and solvents) or other chemicals create a compounding effect.

Benzene harms blood-forming organs, while PFAS inhibit the body from repairing said damage. This coordinated attack explains why maritime workers may see an earlier onset of multiple myeloma compared to the general population.

PFAS exposure happens through AFFF use

While Aqueous Film-Forming Foam is the main source of PFAS, the risk to maritime workers applies to the very equipment meant to protect them during fire drills and emergencies. PFAS don't just sit on the surface; they penetrate the body in multiple ways:

• Through the gear: Safety gear is usually treated with PFAS to repel water and oil. With age or heat exposure, these chemicals get absorbed into the skin, especially when the person wearing the gear is sweating.
• From deck surfaces: AFFF residue stays on decks and railings long after a drill. Even basic contact with these surfaces causes low-level continuous exposure that accumulates in the bone marrow over the years.
• Aerosol inhalation: When AFFF is released during emergencies or drills within enclosed areas, it spreads into the air. Its droplets are inhaled and enter the bloodstream.

Seaman's rights in Jones Act Cancer claims

If you have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and spent at least 30% of your career on a vessel in navigation, you are likely protected by the Jones Act.

For you, as a maritime worker, the major advantage is the "featherweight" burden of proof. Unlike ordinary personal injury cases, where you need to prove causation by the defendant, under the Jones Act, you only need to show that:

1. The employer was negligent. Did he not provide adequate protective equipment? Didn't warn you about AFFF? Skipped a safety protocol? That is enough.
2. Even in the slightest, your employer's negligence played a part in producing your multiple myeloma.

Seamen diagnosed with multiple myeloma can take action

No matter if you worked aboard tugboats, barges, cargo ships, or offshore platforms, your daily environment was probably a multidirectional PFAS hot zone:

• AFFF exposure: used during drills or emergencies
• Surfaces and protective gear: coatings on uniforms and decks or railings
• Hydraulic fluids: PFAS-containing lubricants used on machinery

Since multiple myeloma has a long latency period, your symptoms - such as persistent bone pain, fatigue, or frequent infections - may only appear years post-career, and the law recognizes this delay.

If you have been diagnosed within the past three years, your window for compensation is open. Get in touch with one of our attorneys at Environmental Litigation Group for a private, free consultation regarding a Jones Act claim.