VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On Friday, firefighters from Hampton Roads are suing 26 companies and manufacturers for a total of $1.5 billion for exposing them to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their protective gear.
"It can cause, as testing has revealed, different types of cancer and other negative health effects, and some studies can have some effects on your own DNA," said lawyer Kevin Biniazan.
According to the lawsuit, PFAS is a large and growing category of human-made chemicals. It consists of a nearly indestructible chain of carbon and fluorine atoms that are widely used in products to, inter alia, resist and repel oil, heat and water. PFAS have been found to have negative health effects.
Biniazan represents two former Portsmouth firefighters and five former Virginia Beach firefighters, including the estate of Matthew Chiaverotti. The former Virginia Beach captain, who the lawsuit said, died from anaplastic thyroid cancer at the age of 43 on April 17, 2023. The lawsuit highlights that others Biniazan is representing are also battling different forms of cancer.
"There's a risk to being a firefighter, but the risk of being a firefighter shouldn't come with it that the gear you put on is actually what is going to lead to your death or lead to your health declining, said Biniazan.
The lawsuit states that all of the companies were aware of the chemical's serious and significant harmful effects, yet they provided no safety warnings on product labels.
"One of the issues in this case is that they didn't go to these firefighters and tell them. They didn't notify these departments of the dangers contained within their gear," said Biniazan.
Virginia Beach Professional Fire and EMS Union, Max Gonano says it's concerning to know that PFAS chemicals are being used in their gear.
"Firefighters are at high risk for cancer. We are ten percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 15% more likely to die of cancer. And we're trying to find out why that is, what parts of our jobs keep causing it. Is it the house fires and the carcinogens? We're finding out that it's going to be yes, that but it's probably also going to be our gear that is causing this to,” said Gonano.
Now, families want companies to take accountability for the lawsuit alleges they may have caused.
"Is accountability too much to ask? Is being straight with the firefighters too much to ask? And I think that's what they deserve. They deserve to know that the gear they're putting on is safe, and if it's not safe, at least tell them," said Biniazan.
This case could take years to fight, according to Biniazan, but he said the families are prepared to seek justice.
