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Forever Chemicals Force Factory Closure
17 Jul
Summary
- Residents near a factory were advised to wash homegrown food.
- The factory emitted 49 tonnes of carcinogenic Pfoa between 1950-2012.
- A law firm is investigating a claim for contaminated duck eggs.
Residents in Thornton-Cleveleys, England, are facing health concerns due to historic emissions of Pfoa, a carcinogenic "forever chemical," from the AGC Chemicals Europe factory. Investigations launched in 2024 by the UK Environment Agency and local authorities prompted advisories for residents to wash and peel homegrown food and avoid local eggs. Two nearby allotment sites were closed as a precautionary measure.
In response to reporting on the emissions and potential legal action, AGC Chemicals Europe announced plans to close the plant, citing significant financial and operational difficulties. This closure raises questions about who will fund the environmental cleanup. Between the 1950s and 2012, the facility released an estimated 49 tonnes of Pfoa, a chemical linked to kidney cancer and known for its persistence in the environment.
Despite a government study finding no evidence of a cancer cluster, international experts have expressed concern and called for further investigation. Legal action is being explored, with a law firm investigating a potential claim for a resident whose duck eggs showed high levels of Pfoa contamination. More than 90 residents have expressed interest in legal action, and 50 have undergone blood tests.
The issue highlights a broader problem, with over 17,000 contaminated sites identified across the UK and Europe, indicating that Pfas pollution is not confined to a few industrial areas. This situation in Thornton-Cleveleys reflects a growing global concern over the legacy of persistent chemicals and their impact on communities.
