Locals concern over carcinogenic chemical at plant

Some residents who live close to a chemical plant have said they are concerned after an investigation was launched into possible contamination of gardens and allotments by a potentially cancer-causing substance.

The probe is into pollution by a chemical called Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the Thornton-Cleveleys area of Wyre, Lancashire.

PFOA - which was used in everyday items like non-stick pans and waterproof clothing - was used at the former ICI site.

Holly Swales, 49, said: "I'm pretty disgusted actually because I do have a son that is vulnerable health-wise, so he only goes in the garden, and the garden is directly by the plant."

"So it's not acceptable and I've had no notification of any of these risks," she said.

Wyre Council said ICI, and subsequent site owner AGC Chemicals, were permitted to use PFOA from the 1950s to 2012.

In July the council wrote to residents advising them to "continue to enjoy using your garden space as you normally would" but to "wash hands thoroughly after working or playing in the garden or allotment and "wash and peel any produce grown in the soil in order to remove any soil or dust".

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said they did not know "what, if any" risk to the public there was.

The Environment Agency's investigation will look at soil samples from land near the site, at Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, to check if PFOA was there and how much of it there was.

John Foster, who lives in a house built on part of the former ICI site, said: "If there's been some kind of danger there, then obviously you would expect them to follow up properly.

"The fact that we're now 10 years after that is a massive concern that nothing's been done in those 10 years.

"I've had no letter," the 52-year-old said.

He added: "It might have been with junk mail and got thrown out, but I think just the fact that no-one else on the estate is talking about it, or has discussed it on our social media groups would suggest that no-one on our estate has had any communication."

Thirty-nine-year-old Dave Caton said he started becoming ill after moving to the area.

"Before I was strong, running around, working full-time, now I have memory lapses and am waiting for appointments," he said.

"Nothing happened before moving round here, then all of a sudden everything happened in one go.

"I don't know the ins and outs [of the contamination] but my concern now is just getting my health back and making sure my daughter's not introduced to any chemicals in the air."

But Pat Longton said: "I don't think it's ever concerned me.

"I did have an allotment and I did grow a lot of food, but to be honest I don't think it's done me any harm.

"I've got to 84 and the only side-effect I've got is arthritis and I don't think [chemicals] would cause that," she said.

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