Residents of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have received blood test results indicating high concentrations of PFOA, a forever chemical previously manufactured at the nearby AGC Chemicals factory. The substance, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, was used in the production of non-stick cookware coatings until 2012 and has been banned in the UK since 2020.
Environmental investigations began in 2024 after the Environment Agency and Wyre Council identified elevated PFOA levels in soil, eggs, and locally grown vegetables in the area. Two allotment sites have been closed and designated as contaminated land. The chemical was likely dispersed through airborne transmission from the factory. While the UK Health Security Agency does not recommend routine PFAS blood testing, independent testing was conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University with funding from investigative journalists and environmental legal organizations. Forty-nine residents participated, with results delivered this week.
According to US and German health guidelines, 70% of those tested showed readings indicating potential increased risk of adverse health effects, including thyroid dysfunction, kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol, pre-eclampsia, and ulcerative colitis. However, elevated chemical levels do not guarantee residents will develop these conditions. Several residents expressed shock and distress upon learning their results, with particular concern among those with children. One resident noted guilt regarding potential exposure of his children through breastfeeding.
More than 100 residents are now considering collective legal action against AGC Chemicals for damages related to property devaluation and health risks. Legal representatives describe the potential case as groundbreaking in the UK, marking the first community claim over forever chemical contamination. A comparable US case involving DuPont and Chemours over PFOA contamination resulted in a $671 million settlement across more than 3,500 lawsuits, though both companies denied wrongdoing.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI