Residents living near a chemical factory in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, are at the centre of a growing national scandal over 'forever chemicals' contamination. The UK Environment Agency and local authority launched an investigation in 2024 into historic emissions of Pfoa—a carcinogenic perfluorooctanoic acid—from the AGC Chemicals Europe plant. Following environmental testing, authorities advised residents to wash and peel homegrown produce and avoid local eggs; two allotment sites were closed.
Factory closure and legal threats
AGC Chemicals Europe announced plans to shut the plant, citing 'significant financial and operational challenges'. The move comes after reporting on the looming threat of legal action. Concerns now focus on who will pay for the cleanup. Between the 1950s and 2012, the facility emitted 49 tonnes of Pfoa, a type of perfluorinated carboxylic acid linked to kidney cancer. Pfoa was banned globally in 2020.
Resident stories: cancer and contamination
Liz Hurst, diagnosed with kidney cancer 15 years ago, told the Guardian: 'Everything I had wanted was finally coming to fruition. A house, a change of job and getting married. All of a sudden, everything was put on hold.' She wants to know if the factory caused her cancer. Sam Hammond, another resident, must throw away all her duck eggs due to Pfoa contamination. More than 90 residents have indicated interest in potential legal action, with 50 accessing blood tests over the summer.
Government study and expert concerns
Despite higher kidney cancer rates near the factory, a government study found no evidence of a cancer cluster or environmental association. World-leading experts described the findings as a 'major cause of concern' and called for further investigation, including blood testing. The law firm Leigh Day has written to AGC Chemicals Europe to investigate a claim on behalf of Hammond.
Global context: Pfas litigation and contamination
The story echoes the 2019 film 'Dark Waters', which exposed DuPont's Pfoa contamination in West Virginia, leading to multimillion-dollar settlements. Since then, US Pfas litigation has accelerated, with manufacturers agreeing to billions in settlements. In Europe, ClientEarth lodged a complaint with the European Committee of Social Rights alleging Belgium failed to protect people from Pfas pollution. AGC Chemicals Europe stated it takes 'responsibilities to protect employees, the local community and the environment very seriously' and will maintain staff for environmental monitoring.
Widespread contamination across UK and Europe
Pfas are not confined to industrial areas. Over 17,000 contaminated sites have been identified across the UK and Europe, from densely populated towns to remote regions. A documentary, 'In Our Blood: The Forever Chemicals Scandal', revealed 'alarming' Pfas levels in Bentham, North Yorkshire, which recorded the highest UK levels. As more communities uncover Pfas legacies, the questions in Thornton-Cleveleys are unlikely to remain theirs alone.
