By now, it is a known fact that PFAS exposure is responsible for many serious health problems, including several cancers. These highly toxic chemicals are currently lurking on over 700 military bases nationwide, posing a major health threat to service members training and living there.
Still, because PFAS have been present on military bases since the early '70s, veterans can now come to struggle with crippling illnesses due to past exposure to "forever chemicals" during active duty. Because PFAS are persistent contaminants, they remain both in the environment and the body for a long time, being able to cause dire health consequences in those exposed. The following are only some of the adverse health effects PFAS exposure can be responsible for:
- kidney cancer: a higher kidney cancer incidence and mortality have been observed among people with high PFOA exposures, and the risk of developing this cancer due to exposure to these chemicals is 16% greater in veterans and family members exposed to PFAS on military bases
- testicular cancer: medical evidence suggests that PFOA is associated with a high risk of testicular cancer, and veterans and family members who spent time at military bases for at least one year are 3% more likely to develop it
- bladder cancer: exposure to PFAS found in the blood of people and animals may increase bladder cancer risk, and veterans and family members who lived at contaminated military bases should keep a close eye on their health and seek medical attention if they experience unusual symptoms
- prostate cancer: military firefighters, who have elevated PFOA levels from occupational exposure to firefighting foam, have a high prostate cancer risk compared to the general population, but other service members might also be at risk if they spent at least one year at a military base
- liver cancer: people with high levels of PFAS in their blood are more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer, as well as liver adenocarcinoma, the rarest form of liver cancer, and initially, PFAS exposure might cause only liver damage
- thyroid disease: because PFAS are endocrine disruptors, their presence in the body can throw the hormonal system off balance, which can ultimately result in thyroid disease, whether it is hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's disease, or hyperthyroidism
- ulcerative colitis: a study found that PFAS levels were high in patients with late-onset ulcerative colitis compared with Crohn's disease patients, so exposure to these harmful chemicals can also be responsible for the development of ulcerative colitis
- leukemia: medical experts believe that it is possible that PFAS act as a favorable factor in the development of blood diseases, including leukemia, cancer of the blood or bone marrow, and even exposure to low doses of PFAS might result in leukemia, especially in children
- multiple myeloma: researchers have found that frequent PFAS exposure can cause various cancers, including multiple myeloma, a plasma cell malignancy affecting the immune system, which means veterans and family members who lived at military bases should closely monitor their health
- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: people who were exposed to high PFAS levels had twice the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in contrast with those with the lowest exposure, so this is another serious disease veterans and family members can develop as a result of their stay at military bases
- male breast cancer: elevated levels of PFDoA increased breast cancer risk by up to 13 times, with 95% certainty that the risk was 3 to 94 times higher compared to those with lower PFDoA levels, so this chemical has a strong association with breast cancer
- Hodgkin's lymphoma: also known as Hodgkin's disease, this is a type of cancer developing in the lymphatic system, and while there are not many studies exploring the connection between PFAS exposure and Hodgkin's disease, there is a significant connection
- pancreatic cancer: a study in occupationally exposed workers found an increased hazard ratio for pancreatic cancer in the higher exposure quartiles, and a positive trend was also seen for pancreatic cancer and increased PFOA plasma levels in a general population study
If you are a veteran or a family member of one who lived at a military base with known toxic contamination for at least one cumulative year and now struggle with a disease, we encourage you to contact our expert team, who will gladly help you determine whether you are entitled to financial compensation for your physical and emotional distress. The legal process is simple and will mostly take place over the phone. We are determined to go to great lengths to help you have your military base toxic exposure claim filed and approved.
Atraxia Law can efficiently help you file a military base toxic exposure claim
Our team of professionals has over 35 years in evaluating toxic exposure claims and will do the same for you if you are a veteran or a family member of one who spent time at contaminated military bases and now have a linkable diagnosis.
We will thoroughly evaluate your claim, and if we deem you eligible, we will direct you toward a reliable, top-notch attorney who can handle your claim.
