Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) contains PFAS chemicals used by military bases and airports for decades. 3M and DuPont/Chemours manufactured AFFF knowing PFAS bioaccumulate and cause cancer. Water system contamination settlements totaling $10.3B (3M) have been reached; personal injury cases for kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid disease are actively proceeding.
PFOA and PFOS (the primary PFAS in AFFF) are EPA-designated probable carcinogens. Kidney cancer and testicular cancer have the strongest epidemiological support. Bradford Hill criteria are well-developed. Occupational exposure (military firefighters, airport personnel) is the primary campaign track; water contamination near bases is secondary.
Water system contamination cases largely resolved ($10.3B 3M settlement, $1.18B DuPont). Personal injury cases (kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid) are the active litigation frontier. Bellwether personal injury trials scheduled 2025–2026.