What is the ICI plant's current status?

The ICI plant is no longer in operation, as it has been taken over by AGC Chemicals Europe.

What concerns have been raised about PFOA in the local environment?

Residents have expressed fears that their health may have been affected by the presence of PFOA in the local environment, leading to warnings about consuming locally grown produce.

How are authorities responding to the PFOA concerns?

Authorities are expanding testing efforts to more areas around the former ICI plant, both in "higher priority" and "lower risk" locations, in order to validate earlier findings and better understand the situation.

Home / Environment / Authorities Expand Testing to Validate Earlier PFOA Findings Near Former ICI Plant

Authorities Expand Testing to Validate Earlier PFOA Findings Near Former ICI Plant

7 Oct

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Summary

More land identified as "higher priority" for testing
Sampling to be done at "lower risk" locations to validate earlier results
Authorities committed to acting "swiftly and efficiently"

Authorities Expand Testing to Validate Earlier PFOA Findings Near Former ICI Plant

As of October 7th, 2025, authorities have announced plans to expand testing efforts around a former ICI plant in the area. More land to the south-east of the existing testing zone has been identified as a "higher priority" and will now be examined.

Additionally, sampling will be undertaken at locations considered to be at "lower risk" in order to help validate the earlier results. These include areas to the south, west, and north-west of the facility, as well as the Sandringham Avenue allotments.

The organizations involved, including Wyre Council and the Environment Agency, have stated that they are committed to acting "as swiftly and efficiently as possible" to address the situation. They have explained that their investigations typically move forward in stages, with each step providing a deeper understanding of the circumstances.

Last year, after previous testing, Wyre District Council had warned local residents not to consume fruit and vegetables grown in the soil near the site due to concerns about PFOA contamination. AGC Chemicals Europe, which took over part of the ICI plant, has previously stated that it stopped using PFOA in 2012 and that 40 years of monitoring showed "no significant impact" from emissions.

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