Scientists from the US National Cancer Institute have found that firefighting foam containing “eternal chemicals” increases the risk of testicular cancer in firefighters. The research was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
Numerous studies show that both military and civilian firefighters are diagnosed with testicular cancer more often than men in other occupations. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) have been suggested to increase the risk of tumor development but have not been proven. The new study shows for the first time a direct link between testicular cancer and these chemicals, known as timeless chemicals because of their resistance to degradation.
The scientists used blood from 530 US military personnel and 530 ordinary people. They found that firefighters with high levels of PFAS in their blood were more likely to develop testicular cancer.
A 1974 US Department of Defense study found PFAS to be lethal to fish. In 1983, a US Air Force whitepaper showed that the substances were also dangerous to rats. But given the effectiveness of PFAS firefighting foam in combating collision and in-vehicle fires, the Department of Defense still uses the foam.
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