The VA Will Study Link Between PFAS Chemicals and Kidney Cancer
The VA announced in September 2024 that it will conduct a study to find whether the chemicals in military-grade firefighting foam are linked to kidney cancer. If a link is found, kidney cancer may be considered a presumptive service-connected condition and allow Veterans suffering from kidney cancer to receive expedited benefits.
Why is the VA Studying PFAS Chemicals?
The investigation of the link between per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS and kidney cancer may allow Veterans that used the chemicals during their service time to speed up the process of receiving VA healthcare and benefits. If the VA names kidney cancer as a presumptive service-connected condition, Veterans will no longer be required to prove that their illness was related to their military service.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough states that the VA “want[s] to understand the health conditions that veterans are living with so we can provide them with all of the benefits they deserve — and that’s what this review process is all about.”
The Department of Defense has used firefighting foams that contain PFAS on military installations across the country for the last 50 years. Now, the DoD has been ordered to stop using the PFAS firefighting foams and to remove stocks of the foam from all installations. In addition, the Defense Department is analyzing the contamination at 710 military sites.
The VA states that Veterans who believe they may be suffering from kidney cancer caused by PFAS should not wait to file a claim until the illness is considered presumptive. Rather, the VA encourages Veterans to file a claim, as conditions that are not currently presumed to be service-related will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What are PFAS Chemicals?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are often called “forever chemicals” because they are synthetic chemicals with a carbon-fluoride bond that makes them very difficult to break down in the environment and the human body. Since the 1950s, PFAS have been widely used in manufacturing and consumer products. A few examples of how these “forever chemicals” have been used include:
- Adding non-stick coating on packaging or cookware
- Making clothes and carpets resistant to stains
- Creating more effective firefighting foam
What concerns health and safety experts about PFAS is that they do not break down in the human body. Over time, these chemicals can build up and cause serious health issues. Many studies have shown links between PFAS exposure and various types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, among others.
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