PFAS, often called 'forever chemicals,' are at the center of a growing public health crisis, affecting not only civilians but also service members.
Military bases are among the largest sources of PFAS contamination in the United States. In turn, millions of current and former military personnel face elevated risks of developing severe conditions like leukemia.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of over 15,000 artificial chemical compounds. They earned the nickname 'forever chemicals' due to their persistent nature. PFAS can be found in everyday items like non-stick cooking pans, food packaging, and water-repellent fabrics. In the military, they are mainly used for Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a fire retardant known for its ability to suppress fuel fires rapidly.
Some of the risk factors associated with leukemia include age and pre-existing conditions. Additionally, repeated exposure to certain chemicals, such as PFAS, is increasingly being recognized as a contributing factor.
Because they do not break down, PFAS tend to accumulate in the body and can cause harm. According to existing scientific evidence, they can disrupt normal functions, including the immune system, potentially triggering the abnormal production of white blood cells, a potential sign of leukemia. Multiple studies have also raised concerns about the role of PFAS in blood cancers.
In January 2025, the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology released findings from a major study using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The research found a strong association between PFAS exposure and leukemia among males. Likewise, an earlier case-cohort study from Environmental Health Perspectives found that exposure to certain PFAS chemicals, particularly PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid), can increase the risk of developing leukemia.
Previously, the Department of Defense (DoD) required all branches of the military to use AFFF, both for emergencies and training exercises. While AFFF is highly effective, capable of extinguishing highly flammable fires in under 30 seconds, it contains high concentrations of PFAS. As a result, many military bases have become PFAS contamination hotspots.
Non-profit organization Environmental Working Group (EWG) has identified at least 720 military installations with confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination. This includes barracks, camps, installations, and other sites used by the army around the world.
Each year, an estimated 61,000 new cases of leukemia are diagnosed in America, making it the 10th most common type of cancer. Leukemia occurs when the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells called leukemia cells. There are four types of leukemia:
A patient with leukemia generally exhibits symptoms such as:
If you have served in the military and believe that you may have leukemia as a result of constant exposure to PFAS, you may be eligible to receive compensation. If you want to learn how to get started, we recommend reaching out to Atraxia Law today.
With experience of over 35 years, Atraxia Law has provided assistance to numerous victims of toxic exposure, including many military members, and connected them with skilled lawyers to represent their case and ultimately, secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.