Buckeye Fire Equipment is a prominent brand of fire suppression and protection products, with its headquarters located in Charlotte, North Carolina. For over 50 years, it has been manufacturing firefighting foams, including AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam), a fire suppressant that uses PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as its key ingredients.
AFFF had once been considered the gold standard of firefighting foams. The PFAS chemicals found in these firefighting foams made them effective in rapidly extinguishing highly flammable fuel fires. Those that rely on AFFF include the military, industries (petrochemical plants, refineries, and chemical manufacturers), airports, and civilian firefighting departments. However, safety concerns about AFFF started to emerge when studies found adverse environmental and health effects of PFAS.
Dozens of firefighting equipment manufacturers, in turn, face numerous lawsuits related to the production and distribution of AFFF. One of them is Buckeye Fire Equipment. The cases alleged that PFAS concentrations have contributed to widespread environmental and health issues. While Buckeye Fire Equipment has since indicated that its firefighting foam no longer contains PFOS and PFOA, concerns remain about the presence of other PFAS chemicals in their formulations.
Because they do not break down, PFAS tend to accumulate in the environment and our bodies. This explains why they earned the moniker ‘forever chemicals.’ The lawsuits against dozens of AFFF manufacturers, including Buckeye Fire Equipment, focus on the environmental and health impact of PFAS. Some of the health risks associated with these synthetic chemical compounds include:
Multiple studies have also discovered a worrying connection between PFAS exposure and increased risks of certain types of cancer, such as:
One specific study from the National Cancer Institute suggests that exposure to PFAS among military firefighters in the U.S. Air Force can lead to elevated risks of developing testicular cancer.
Several states have initiated legal actions against AFFF manufacturers, including Buckeye Fire Equipment. In their lawsuits, they accused these brands of “knowingly selling products containing hazardous PFAS chemicals, contributing to widespread environmental contamination and entailing serious health risks.” Additionally, firefighters, their relatives, and cause-oriented groups filed cases against Buckeye Fire Equipment and several AFFF manufacturers for damages. A U.S. District Court in South Carolina is currently consolidating over 10,000 AFFF-related cases in a multi-district litigation (MDL).
If you are a firefighter, whether military or civilian, who has been diagnosed with a disease linked to AFFF use, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Like any legal process, however, it can be an overwhelming journey. If you are looking for expert guidance, you have come to the right place.
Atraxia Law has provided support to dozens of victims of toxic exposure by simplifying and making the process of filing claims accessible, faster, and easier. Contact our team of experts, who will review your case at no cost. Once eligible, we will connect you with a specialized lawyer who can provide the legal support you need.