Blood tests find high PFOA levels in residents near Lancashire chemical plant

September 24, 2026 at 02:01 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Blood tests have found high levels of the cancer-causing chemical PFOA in dozens of residents of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, near the AGC Chemicals factory. The residents have been told they could be at elevated risk of serious health conditions. The village has been under investigation by the Environment Agency since 2024 over contamination of soils and locally grown food.

Key Facts

Blood tests found high levels of PFOA in dozens of residents of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire.
PFOA has been banned in the UK since 2020 and is classified by the WHO as a Group 1 carcinogen.
The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have been testing the area near the AGC Chemicals factory since 2024.
Two allotment sites in Thornton-Cleveleys have been closed and are due to be classified as contaminated land.
Independent blood tests were offered by Manchester Metropolitan University, paid for by Watershed and Law for Change.

Contamination Investigation

The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have been testing the area close to the AGC Chemicals factory since 2024 to determine if it has been contaminated. They found PFOA at elevated levels in the soil, eggs and locally grown vegetables. Two allotment sites have now been closed and are due to be classified as contaminated land. Residents within 1km of the factory have been advised to peel any fruit or vegetables grown in their gardens. Those investigations concluded the PFOA was likely to have come from the factory having been carried in the air.

Health Risks and Blood Testing

PFOA has been banned in the UK since 2020 because it was classed by the World Health Organisation as a Group 1 carcinogen. Residents previously asked the council to test their blood for the chemical. According to the UK Health Security Agency, PFAS monitoring is not currently recommended because tests are unlikely to provide clear information for individuals. Instead independent tests were offered by Manchester Metropolitan University, paid for by investigative journalists Watershed and Law for Change.