PFAS Contamination in Thornton-Cleveleys: Residents Face Growing Concerns Over ‘Forever Chemicals’
Residents in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, are facing renewed concerns over possible exposure to PFAS, a group of chemicals commonly known as “forever chemicals”. Dozens of people in the area are undergoing blood testing after investigations found traces of PFOA in soil around properties near a former chemical manufacturing site.
The situation has raised questions about long-term environmental contamination, homegrown food and the potential health implications of PFAS exposure.
What Is Happening in Thornton-Cleveleys?
A total of 56 residents are taking part in blood testing following concerns about possible exposure to chemicals linked to a former industrial site in the area.
The investigation centres on land surrounding the former ICI plant at the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone. The site is now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd.
Previous testing found PFOA in soil samples taken from 71 properties close to the former plant. Hundreds of households within approximately half a mile of the site had also been warned that their gardens could potentially contain contaminated soil.
The findings have caused particular concern among residents who have grown fruit, vegetables and other food in their gardens over the years.
Why Are PFAS Called ‘Forever Chemicals’?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These man-made chemicals have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications because of their resistance to heat, water and grease.
They are often described as “forever chemicals” because some PFAS compounds can persist in the environment for very long periods.
The material supplied for this report identifies PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, as the chemical of concern in Thornton-Cleveleys.
According to the source article, PFAS exposure has been associated with health concerns including certain cancers, immune system effects and changes in cholesterol levels. However, the presence of PFAS in the environment does not automatically establish that a particular person's illness was caused by exposure.
This distinction is important when discussing the situation because residents are seeking answers about possible exposure, while investigations into the local contamination continue.
PFAS Found in Local Garden Soil
Testing carried out around the former industrial site detected PFOA in soil from 71 properties.
Some of the affected properties were built on parts of the former ICI site, while others are located around the surrounding area.
Most properties did not require immediate action based on the investigation. However, seven properties were identified as requiring further investigation because they were considered higher risk.
The findings have been particularly worrying for residents who regularly used their gardens to grow food.
In 2024, residents were advised not to consume produce grown in affected gardens. Earlier guidance had included washing and peeling homegrown produce to reduce the possibility of consuming contaminated soil or dust.
Two local allotments used for growing vegetables have also been closed. These are located on Occupation Road and Sandringham Avenue.
Concerns Over Homegrown Food
One of the most significant concerns for residents involves food grown in contaminated soil.
People living near the former plant have questioned whether vegetables, fruit, eggs and other food produced locally could have been affected.
One resident, Sam Linacre-Hammond, said she and her son underwent blood testing as part of efforts to understand possible exposure. She had previously kept ducks and consumed eggs from them.
The source article reports that the Food Standards Agency told her that eating one of her duck eggs would exceed the relevant safe weekly limit for the chemicals. She had stopped eating the eggs after receiving an earlier warning.
Such reports have added to anxiety among local families who may have consumed homegrown food without knowing that contamination was a concern.
However, individual health conditions cannot automatically be attributed to PFAS exposure without appropriate scientific evidence. Residents are therefore looking for reliable testing and clear information about what the contamination means for their health.
How Did the Investigation Begin?
A multi-agency investigation into contamination around the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone began in 2024.
The investigation involves Wyre Council and the Environment Agency, among other organisations.
According to the supplied source, the Environment Agency received information suggesting that historic PFOA emissions had occurred from the former ICI site.
The chemical is believed to have been released from the site over several decades, with its use reportedly continuing until 2012, when it was phased out.
The former ICI facility is now operated by AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd.
Why Are Residents Asking for Blood Tests?
For many residents, blood testing is about finding out whether PFAS can be detected in their bodies.
A specialist testing programme has been arranged for residents during the summer, with results expected during the autumn of 2026.
Supporters of the testing say residents deserve access to information about their individual exposure, particularly after environmental testing identified PFOA around local properties.
However, authorities have highlighted important limitations.
A multi-agency response explained that PFAS can enter the body through different routes, including food, drinking water, air and everyday consumer products. As a result, detecting PFAS in someone's blood does not necessarily show where the exposure occurred.
The authorities also stated that PFAS blood testing cannot predict whether an individual will develop health problems in the future.
What Have Local Authorities Said?
Wyre Council has said it is supporting residents affected by the pollution concerns.
The council has also stated that, apart from the two allotment areas, no other land in public or private ownership has been formally designated as contaminated under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The authorities have stressed that PFAS exposure is widespread and that measurable levels can be found in the blood of many people in the UK.
Because of this, officials say that routine PFAS biomonitoring is not currently recommended through NHS services or standard private blood testing.
Their position is that testing may not provide sufficiently clear information for individual residents and could potentially increase anxiety.
What Happens Next?
Residents are now waiting for further testing results and information from the ongoing investigation.
The results of the community blood-testing programme are expected during autumn 2026. These findings could provide residents with additional information about the levels of PFAS detected in their blood, although they may not establish the precise source of exposure.
Meanwhile, environmental investigations remain important in determining the extent of contamination around the former industrial site.
The future of the manufacturing facility itself is also uncertain. AGC Chemicals Europe recently announced that it was consulting employees and their representatives over a proposal to cease operations at the plant. The company said no final decision had been made and indicated that the site had experienced losses over the previous four years.
For people living nearby, however, the immediate priority remains understanding the environmental situation and what it could mean for their homes, gardens and families.
Final Thoughts
The PFAS contamination concerns in Thornton-Cleveleys highlight the complicated challenges that can arise from historic industrial activity.
The discovery of PFOA in soil around dozens of properties has understandably caused concern among residents, particularly those who have consumed food grown in their gardens.
At the same time, it is important to distinguish between environmental contamination, measured exposure and individual health outcomes. Current testing cannot establish that a person's illness was caused by PFAS exposure, nor can blood testing predict future health problems.
As investigations continue and residents await further results, transparent communication and reliable environmental information will be essential.
Source
The Sun, dated 11 August 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. This should not be treated as medical, legal or environmental advice. The presence of PFAS in soil or blood does not by itself establish that an individual has developed, or will develop, a particular health condition. Readers with concerns about potential exposure should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional and refer to official public health and environmental guidance.