To Not “Be Foamed” Was A Dishonor

I was a US Air Force firefighter in the 80’s. We used AFFF (Aqueous film forming foam) in sizable quantities continuously. We practically bathed in it and I threw away more than a couple uniforms because of foam. As a right of passage, we also poured it over fellow airmen leaving; either discharged or to another base.

When I discharged, they poured 10 gallons on me and scrubbed it in with brushes. Understand, this hazing was considered an honor. To not “be foamed” was a dishonor.

I was reading where it possibly causes preeclampsia in women. My young wife at the time had preeclampsia and my daughter also had preeclampsia when she gave birth. Labor was induced with both. Despite being young, healthy, and thin, I had unexplainable high cholesterol. There was no family history and the doctors were perplexed.

I’m now older and still have high cholesterol which has been medically controlled for a couple of decades. My wife passed away from cancer at the age of 49, however not from the types labeled as relatable (yet) to AFFF exposure. I’m just waiting for other symptoms or diseases to show.

• Author resides in Los Angeles, California

Note from the Editor: The account/editorial is verbatim from the author without edit, with only the omission of their name to preserve anonymity.

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