By Michael Bartlett on May 28th, 2025 in PFAS/AFFF
When people experience abdominal pain, they often dismiss it as a minor issue or attribute it to stress. However, persistent pain can be a sign of something more serious, especially for firefighters who have used AFFF throughout their careers. PFOA, a type of PFAS found in firefighting foam, is one of the substances linked to a higher risk of ulcerative colitis.
Combined with other symptoms, especially for people with a history of PFOA exposure from AFFF use, it could point to a serious autoimmune condition like ulcerative colitis. Research tracking over 32,000 people exposed to high PFOA levels found that those with the greatest exposure had nearly triple the risk of developing this condition.
Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam that fire departments have used for decades to combat petroleum-based fires. PFOA is one type of PFAS that has been classified as carcinogenic to humans. These are considered 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down easily in the environment or our bodies.
PFOA can drastically change how our bodies work, as shown in multiple studies. It can disrupt our immune system and cause inflammation that leads to autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis. This is how these chemicals affect a person's chance of developing this condition later in life, after long-term exposure to PFOA through contaminated water or soil around military installations.
Firefighters have been exposed to AFFF for decades during routine training and fire suppression activities. The chemical has a half-life of about 3.5 years in humans; it builds up in our bodies over time and can affect people years after their initial exposure.
Over the decades, countless firefighters have been exposed to PFOA contamination from AFFF use across the country. An ulcerative colitis diagnosis could be related to genetics, but it could've been triggered by the patient's exposure to PFOA contamination from firefighting foam. Because of the widespread use of AFFF in fire departments, firefighters face higher risks of developing this condition:
The contamination often affects firefighters through multiple exposure routes: skin contact during foam application, inhalation during training exercises, and ingestion through contaminated turnout gear. Firefighters are frequently exposed to dangerous levels of PFOA throughout their careers.
It can be difficult both physically and financially to deal with ulcerative colitis. Our legal team is here to help you pursue compensation if you developed ulcerative colitis due to PFOA exposure from AFFF during your firefighting career. We will evaluate your case without charging you anything up front.
You will need to provide us with documentation from your medical provider that you suffer from ulcerative colitis. We will also require proof of your firefighting career, whether that's employment records of your career or volunteer firefighting service, or documentation of your exposure to AFFF during training or emergencies.