Nearly 70% of Thornton Cleveleys residents tested have raised PFOA levels

Blood testing on residents of Thornton Cleveleys living near a large chemical factory has revealed increased levels of PFOA in their blood.

PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, is classified as a carcinogen and is part of the PFAS group of chemicals.

The results showed that of the 49 residents tested, nearly 70% had increased levels of PFOA, placing them at higher risk of developing health problems associated with the chemical, such as high cholesterol and some cancers.

The participants are residents of Thornton Cleveleys who live close to an industrial site operated by AGC Chemicals, where PFOA was historically used until 2012.

The site was previously operated by ICI until 1992, and it is estimated that around 178 tonnes of PFOA has been released from the site since the 1950s.

Investigations have been carried out by Wyre Council, alongside the Environment Agency, testing soil in the area.

The soil testing found elevated levels of PFOA in samples taken from residents' properties and nearby allotments.

The council has since advised residents not to eat fruit, vegetables or eggs produced in the vicinity, and two allotments have been formally closed.

Law firm Leigh Day has also been investigating PFAS contamination in the area, working with experts led by Dr Dave Megson at Manchester Metropolitan University, in association with Watershed Investigations.

As part of the investigation, blood tests were arranged for 49 residents, who were selected based on their proximity to the chemical factory, how long they had lived in the area, and whether they ate local produce.

The testing took place over the summer, carried out by an expert team from Manchester Metropolitan University, with results relayed to participants on Wednesday 23rd September.

The results showed PFOA levels above 20 nanograms per millilitre in 69.4% of participants, placing them in the high-risk category, with an overall average of 26 ng/ml.

None of the participants returned results in the low-risk category, below two ng/ml.

Higher than average PFOA levels were recorded among participants living within a kilometre of the industrial site, while 75% of those who ate home-grown fruit and vegetables were found to be in the high-risk category.

Experts investigating the site say the results are comparable to those of residents in Ohio living near a DuPont factory, a case later adapted into the film Dark Waters, where an average of 32.9 ng/ml was recorded.

Leigh Day partner Sarah Moore, who leads the firm's investigations, described the results as "hugely concerning".

"They are a reminder that PFAS contamination has a human impact, not just an environmental one," Ms Moore said.

"The available evidence suggests that PFAS exposure can lead to serious health impacts, including cancers, when it reaches elevated levels. Those levels have already been exceeded in Thornton Cleveleys, and it is now the community that are paying the price of that exposure in terms of potential health effects, restrictions on what they can grow and eat locally, and the value of their properties," she said.

"The Government has promised increased engagement and regulation of PFAS contamination, but as yet nothing has been done. The situation in Thornton Cleveleys is a reminder that action should be taken now," Ms Moore said.

According to the results, 69.4% of those tested had PFOA levels in the high-risk category, above 20 ng/ml.

Under guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, doctors treating these individuals should be alert to an increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis.

A further 30.6% of those tested were in the medium-risk category, between 2 and 20 ng/ml, meaning doctors treating them should be alert to potential adverse effects.

Elevated PFAS concentrations were found across all age groups and all distance bands, with the AGC site as the central point.

Multiple households showed elevated PFAS concentrations across more than one family member, described as a "cluster".

Most participants with the highest readings were older than 50, and the highest average PFAS burden was observed among those living within one kilometre of the factory.

Some highly elevated concentrations were also reported in participants living more than two kilometres from the site.

The length of residence may be linked to higher exposure levels, researchers said, with participants recording the highest PFAS burdens having lived in the area for between around 11 and more than 40 years.

Every participant who reported frequently eating eggs grown on their property had a PFAS level in the high-risk category.

Among those who frequently ate fruit or vegetables grown on their property, 75% had high-risk results, while 71% of those who ate home-grown produce occasionally were also in the high-risk category.