Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder occurring during pregnancy. It develops in 1 in 25 pregnant women across the country. Some women with preeclampsia can have seizures, which is known as eclampsia, a medical emergency. The risk factors for preeclampsia include chronic high blood pressure, kidney disease, and multiple gestation. Still, preeclampsia can also affect female civilian and military firefighters who were exposed to the fire suppressant AFFF, as it contains PFAS, a group of toxic chemicals. Prenatal exposure to PFAS has been correlated with preeclampsia, although findings are mixed with respect to the magnitude of the effect. High concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in early pregnancy are associated with a greater risk of late-onset preeclampsia.
Exposure to PFAS from AFFF can negatively affect cardiometabolic health during pregnancy, which can lead to preeclampsia. A recent study followed 1,558 pregnant women from the Project Viva cohort, recruited between 1999 and 2002. The researchers quantified concentrations of eight PFAS in their plasma samples. They calculated trimester-specific mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure using clinical records. According to the results, 4% of the women with high PFAS blood levels developed preeclampsia, and 7% developed gestational hypertension, a condition that occurs when the person has high blood pressure during pregnancy but does not have protein in their urine or heart or kidney problems.
Although the percentage of women who developed preeclampsia in this study is not high, it still shows a correlation between PFAS exposure and the condition. If you are or were a civilian or military firefighter exposed to AFFF who is pregnant and believe you have preeclampsia, the following are the symptoms you should look out for:
Maternal exposure to PFAS was linked to a higher risk of late-onset preeclampsia, according to medical findings. Women who developed preeclampsia were more often Black, had a previous chronic hypertension diagnosis, had a higher BMI before pregnancy, and had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, according to researchers. To become eligible to file a claim for AFFF exposure for preeclampsia, civilian and military firefighters will have to provide our team of professionals with their medical records, which must state a PIH diagnosis and a pregnancy blood pressure of 140/90 or higher.
Our team has over 35 years of experience in assessing toxic exposure and personal injury claims, so we have the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to help you determine whether you are entitled to financial compensation as a civilian or military firefighter exposed to AFFF with preeclampsia. The process is simple and will take place mostly over the phone. To evaluate your claim, we will only request your military or employment records and your medical records with your diagnosis. Eligible firefighters with preeclampsia will be put in touch with a reputable to have their claims filed as soon as possible.
10 Minutes Over the Phone
*No fees unless compensation is obtained