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 military personnel, veterans, and those who lived on or near contaminated military bases. PFOA, a type of PFAS, 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 on military bases, 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 the U.S. military has used since the 1970s. 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.
Over 700 U.S. military installations are contaminated with PFAS from decades of firefighting foam use during training exercises and emergency responses. 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 military families and nearby civilians have been exposed to PFOA contamination from military bases 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 widespread contamination at military installations, some groups face higher risks of developing this condition:
The contamination often spreads beyond the base itself, affecting groundwater and soil in surrounding communities. This means even those who never set foot on a military base could have been exposed to dangerous levels of PFOA through their drinking water or local environment.
Dealing with ulcerative colitis can be overwhelming, both physically and financially. If you developed ulcerative colitis following PFOA exposure at or near a military installation, our legal team is here to help you pursue compensation. Our experienced lawyers will evaluate your situation without any upfront fees.
To get started, we'll need documentation of your ulcerative colitis diagnosis from your medical provider. We'll also require evidence of your military connection, whether that's service records if you're a veteran, proof of residence on base if you're a military family member, or documentation showing you lived close to a contaminated military facility.