Dozens of people living near a chemical factory in Thornton-Cleveleys have been found to have "really high levels" of a potentially cancer-causing 'forever chemical' in their blood. A public health director has warned residents to be "really cautious" about interpreting these blood test results.
Of 49 residents tested near the AGC Chemicals plant, seven out of ten were found to have elevated levels of PFOA, an industrial substance historically used at the site. PFOA was used at the former ICI site from the 1950s, with AGC Chemicals Europe stopping its use in 2012.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire's director of public health, stated that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found insufficient evidence to determine if long-term PFAS exposure from industrial sites causes adverse health effects in nearby communities. He also cautioned against alternative therapies to reduce PFAS levels, noting that evidence for their effectiveness remains uncertain.
The UKHSA does not currently recommend PFAS biomonitoring through NHS or private blood tests, as such tests cannot predict future health problems or determine the cause of existing ill health. They are, however, developing capabilities to examine human exposure to PFAS.