Cancer Chemicals Force Allotment Closure

Residents near a former industrial site in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, are contemplating legal action due to the presence of carcinogenic chemicals. Investigations into perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a "forever chemical" linked to everyday products and potential health concerns, have led to the closure of two allotments.

Homeowners on Occupation Road and Sandringham Avenue were instructed to clear their belongings and avoid consuming produce grown on their plots. Soil samples from 71 nearby properties indicated PFOA contamination, with seven properties identified as high-risk requiring further assessment.

One resident, Samantha Hammond, was advised not to eat eggs from her ducks due to "elevated" levels of the chemical. The Food Standards Agency noted that consuming just one egg weekly could exceed safe limits. This situation has escalated concerns among the community about the long-term health implications.

Local authorities are hosting drop-in sessions for up to 500 concerned property owners. Wyre Council stated that PFOA was used at the site from the 1950s until 2012. The current site owner, AGC Chemicals Europe, is conducting its own comprehensive investigation into legacy chemicals, which includes soil, groundwater, and surface water testing.

Councillor Michael Vincent expressed disappointment with the pace of AGC Chemicals' internal investigation and urged the Environment Agency to pressure the company for quicker results. The multi-agency investigation, initiated by Wyre Council, remains ongoing.