In the 1950s industrial town of Thornton-Cleveleys, a cloud of fear hangs over residents as mysterious dog deaths and a surge in cancer cases prompt questions about long-term industrial pollution. The Environment Agency began investigating soil samples near the Occupation Road Allotments two years ago amid concerns about contamination from the nearby AGC Chemicals Europe plant.
Between the 1950s and 2012, the facility emitted approximately 49 tons of highly carcinogenic Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) into the atmosphere. PFOA, a virtually indestructible "forever chemical," is known to cause cancer and has since been globally banned. Residents like Sam Hammond, a mother of five, discovered that her garden soil was contaminated, and duck eggs from her flock contained ten times the safe weekly limit of PFOA for humans. Her family had been consuming these eggs daily for three years.
"My little boy is worried," Hammond stated. "He keeps asking me: 'Are my ducks going to die?' It's had a massive effect on me, too." She also suspects her 2020 stroke may have been caused by the toxin, adding that she no longer sleeps soundly and avoids spending time in her garden.
Health Concerns and Investigation Findings
A government-commissioned multi-agency investigation released last month found that two areas within a five-kilometer radius of the AGC plant exhibited "higher-than-expected" rates of kidney cancer, a disease the World Health Organization has linked to PFOA exposure. One area reported 14 cases between 2003 and 2022, compared to an expected six, while another had 17 cases against an expected nine. The report also detected PFOA in a majority of the 71 properties tested within a kilometer of the factory, identifying seven as "high-risk" plots.
Dr. Dan Middleton, a senior lecturer in environmental cancer epidemiology, confirmed that kidney cancer is consistently linked to PFOA exposure. However, the investigation concluded that the kidney cancer cases were too "geographically dispersed" to indicate a cluster near the plant, thus deeming further investigation unwarranted. This conclusion has drawn criticism from the scientific community, with Dr. David Megson, a forensic environmental scientist, calling the report's assessment "less than objective."
Residents' Fears and Demands
Local residents express simmering outrage. Paul Jackman, whose grandfather died of prostate cancer, a disease known to be caused by PFOA, worries about his own health and that of his family. "We've had dogs that have died, strangely and very quickly," he said, adding that they stopped using their vegetable patch due to the contamination fears. Jackman's family also reported stomach issues.
Residents like Jackman are demanding a cleanup, an admission of wrongdoing, and compensation. The practicalities of remediation are daunting, with suggestions including the removal of all garden soil and even underpinning homes. Steve Barton, whose home borders the factory, noted that friends who worked at the plant consistently experienced health issues. While he and his wife have not yet developed health problems, they are concerned about future risks and the impact on property values, with some locals reporting being denied mortgages in the area.
Company History and Future Operations
The AGC plant, located on the Hillhouse Industrial Estate, has a history dating back to the 1890s. The facility, which produces compounds used in materials like Teflon, was run by Imperial Chemical Industries before AGC acquired it in 1999. Documents suggest that AGC funded research into PFOA in the late 1990s, which involved feeding the toxin to monkeys. The study, published in 2002, showed increased liver weight in all subjects, and several monkeys died. Despite these findings, AGC continued to use PFOA for another decade, phasing it out only in 2012. AGC defended its actions by stating the study "did not provide a complete basis for definitive conclusions about human risk."
Earlier this month, AGC Chemicals Europe announced plans to cease operations, citing financial and market challenges. This potential closure could put up to 200 jobs at risk in a region with limited employment opportunities.
AGC maintains that its PFOA emissions between 1950 and 2012 were within permitted levels and compliant with UK legislation at the time. The company stated it takes its responsibilities seriously and is compliant with current environmental regulations. However, residents remain unconvinced, with approximately 90 individuals expressing interest in joining a lawsuit against the company. Sam Hammond is already pursuing her own legal case.
Precedent and Ongoing Concerns
There is precedent for such legal action, with over 4,000 lawsuits filed against chemical companies in the U.S. for "forever chemicals" pollution. Notably, in 2023, 3M agreed to pay $10.3 billion to address pollution from similar chemicals. The future of compensation for Thornton-Cleveleys residents remains uncertain.
The Occupation Road Allotments are currently closed for remediation. The Food Standards Agency advises residents living within a kilometer of the site to wash and peel produce, and consider using raised beds and fresh soil for growing. Despite these measures, the long-term impact of PFOA contamination on the community and the environment continues to be a significant concern.