And a July 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights a growing problem: the Department of Defense must transition away from firefighting foam containing PFAS, a class of chemicals with known health risks. This shift—and the practical challenges the DOD faces in replacing and managing legacy stocks—matters to car accident victims, first responders, airport and industrial crews, and community members. Think of it like this: aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) are commonly used at vehicle and aircraft crash scenes. This blog explains how the GAO findings connect to car accident law, car insurance, and the health of people exposed at crash sites or living near contaminated areas.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—synthetic chemicals that resist heat, water, and oil. They were widely used in AFFF for rapid fuel-fire suppression. And the GAO report notes that the DOD is legally required to move away from PFAS-containing foam, while juggling challenges like testing alternatives and managing existing inventory.
Unfortunately, exposure can happen right at the scene of a vehicle or aircraft crash—when foam is sprayed on burning fuel, via contaminated runoff soaking into soil or groundwater, or when responders’ gear and vehicles carry residues away. Health authorities, including the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), report links between PFAS and outcomes like certain cancers, thyroid disruption, immune effects, and elevated cholesterol. For car accident victims and responders, that exposure risk means immediate crash injuries—plus potential long-term environmental health concerns from foam contact.
Maybe. It’s case-by-case: legal options hinge on who used the foam, where contamination occurred, and what harm you can document. Potential theories include negligence (if a party failed to use safer alternatives or prevent contamination), product liability (against PFAS-foam manufacturers), and public nuisance or government liability claims when contamination harms neighborhoods or water supplies.
Understandably, the GAO report’s emphasis on DOD obligations highlights another complication: government entities often enjoy special immunities or statutory defenses, and federal procurement rules can trigger government contractor defenses in product-related suits. That makes evidence of negligence, clear causation, and documented injuries especially important. Community members have used class action litigation or coordinated suits against manufacturers and suppliers in PFAS cases—and individual car accident victims can pursue claims tied directly to crash-site exposure.
Coverage depends on policy language and the type of insurance—it’s rarely one-size-fits-all. Health insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay can cover immediate medical treatment for crash injuries and related acute exposure care. But environmental contamination and long-term monitoring are often treated differently.
Unfortunately, auto liability policies generally address bodily injury and property damage from a covered accident, but insurers commonly include pollution-exclusion clauses that limit coverage for contaminants like PFAS and cleanup costs. Homeowners’ or commercial property policies likewise may exclude pollution claims. Environmental liability (pollution) policies, where available, can cover remediation—but they’re typically held by municipalities, airports, or industrial operators, not individual drivers.
Thankfully, workers’ compensation can cover first responders and professional airport firefighters who experience occupational exposure. And for car accident victims without occupational exposure, compensatory claims against responsible parties (municipalities, contractors, or manufacturers) may be the primary route for medical monitoring or mitigation costs. Promptly notifying insurers, preserving evidence (photos, witness names, medical records), and seeking legal counsel experienced with environmental and accident law is essential.
If you or a family member were present at a crash scene where AFFF was used, or if your drinking water or property may have been contaminated by foam runoff, consider seeking medical evaluation. Key triggers for testing or monitoring include visible foam contact with skin or clothing, ingestion of potentially contaminated water, or living or working near crash cleanup or foam-training sites. When in doubt, talk to a healthcare provider about the next steps.
Blood testing for specific PFAS compounds is available—but public health agencies caution that results need careful interpretation. It’s important to remember: a single test shows exposure, not guaranteed health outcomes. ATSDR and CDC guidance recommends consulting a physician or environmental health clinic to interpret results and decide whether ongoing monitoring is appropriate. And keep detailed records of exposure events, dates, medical visits, and lab results—these materials can be vital for health monitoring and any potential legal claims.
The regulatory landscape is evolving—and fast. The GAO report highlights the DOD’s statutory obligation to phase out PFAS foams in its operations, while also pointing to real-world challenges. At the federal level, the EPA has prioritized PFAS through an action plan and proposed drinking water limits for some PFAS chemicals to protect public health. State agencies also maintain standards and cleanup programs; many have enacted PFAS limits even stricter than the federal guidelines.
Here are a few resources you might find helpful: - The GAO report on the DOD’s transition away from PFAS firefighting foams (it’s the source document summarizing obligations and challenges). - EPA, CDC, and ATSDR guidance on PFAS health effects and drinking water. - State health departments and environmental agencies offering local sampling and remediation programs. - Occupational health resources like NIOSH for responder protection guidance. - Legal aid organizations and plaintiffs’ attorneys experienced in environmental and personal injury law for guidance on claims.
Here’s a quick checklist: 1. Document everything. Photograph the scene, preserve contaminated clothing, note who used foam and when, and keep medical records and communications with agencies or insurers. 2. Clean up safely. If you had foam on clothing or skin, follow responder decontamination guidance: remove contaminated clothes, wash skin, and avoid spreading residues into the home. Don’t use household drains to dispose of contaminated water; follow local environmental guidance. 3. Test water and property where there is reason to suspect runoff or soil contamination. State agencies often offer testing resources or can direct residents to approved laboratories. 4. Seek medical advice and consider blood testing only after discussing benefits and limitations with a clinician. 5. Notify your insurer and consult a lawyer early if exposure was significant or if you believe local authorities or manufacturers are responsible. Preserve evidence and witnesses. 6. Follow public notices from local health departments; communities sometimes get medical monitoring programs or remediation funds through government action or litigation.
Even as of 2025, car accident law and insurance regulations still require careful documentation of causes, injuries, and exposures when environmental contaminants are involved. And many legal and regulatory developments affecting PFAS are still unfolding.
Importantly, the GAO’s July 2024 findings underscore that replacing PFAS foams and addressing legacy contamination is a multi-year project with real consequences for accident response, environmental health, and liability exposure. If you’re a car accident victim, responder, or community member with concerns about firefighting foam exposure, seek medical evaluation, consult public health resources, and get legal advice tailored to your situation. This intersection of crash response, environmental contamination, and insurance coverage demands both prompt action and long-term monitoring to protect health and legal rights.
Finally, for further information, consult the GAO report and your state health department’s PFAS guidance, and consider reaching out to local environmental law clinics or national responder organizations for assistance.
