Chemical Plant Contamination Warning: Families Told to Avoid Home-Grown Produce
Hundreds of households living near a former chemical plant in Lancashire have received urgent warnings to stop eating vegetables grown in their gardens and eggs from pet chickens due to contamination fears. The advisory follows the discovery of cancer-causing 'forever chemicals' in soil samples from properties surrounding the former ICI plant at Thornton-Cleveleys.
Widespread Contamination Discovered
Testing has revealed Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) – a chemical historically used in non-stick coatings – present in soil from 71 properties within a one-kilometre radius of the former industrial site. Wyre Council Leader Michael Vincent estimates approximately 250 properties are at 'high risk' of contamination, though comprehensive testing continues.
PFOA belongs to the PFAS chemical family, commonly called 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence in the environment. These substances accumulate in human blood and are linked to serious health concerns including cancer, immune system disorders, and elevated cholesterol levels.
Resident Health Concerns and Legal Action
Local mother-of-four Sam Linacre-Hammond, 48, attributes her unexplained stroke in 2020 to consuming contaminated produce from her garden for over a decade. "It makes me angry and guilty for poisoning my children for all of these years," she stated. "We would eat two eggs a day each and used home-grown vegetables in most dinners."
Medical professionals identified high cholesterol as the only potential cause for her stroke, despite no prior history of the condition. The Food Standards Agency confirmed that consuming just one egg from her ducks would exceed safe weekly limits for chemical exposure.
Approximately 60 residents are now considering legal action with environmental law firm Leigh Day investigating potential claims related to health impacts and property devaluation.
Investigation and Testing Results
A multi-agency investigation involving Wyre Council and the Environment Agency launched in 2024 after information suggested historic PFOA emissions from the ICI site, which operated from the 1950s until 2012. The substance was legal during its use but has since been classified as carcinogenic.
Soil testing revealed alarming contamination levels:
- All allotment soil samples near the site showed detectable PFOA concentrations
- Maximum readings reached 20.2μg/kg – nearly five times the precautionary screening value
- Of 291 soil samples collected from 63 locations, 287 showed elevated PFOA levels
- Seven properties have been identified as 'high risk' requiring further investigation
Council Response and Cleanup Plans
Wyre Council has designated the Occupation Road Allotment as formal "Contaminated Land" under environmental legislation, with consumption of produce grown there posing potential "harm to health." A nearby allotment on Sandringham Avenue has also been closed as a precaution.
Council Leader Michael Vincent acknowledged residents' frustration, stating: "I feel their frustration, and residents need answers. We are committed to getting this resolved urgently so the cleanup can begin." However, no timeline has been provided for remediation work.
The Environment Agency and partner organizations are planning a fourth phase of investigation to provide comprehensive answers to all affected households. AGC Chemicals Europe, which now operates the site, has launched its own voluntary investigation and stated supporting the community is their "highest priority."
The situation highlights growing concerns about legacy industrial contamination and its impact on residential areas, with affected families facing uncertainty about their health and property values while awaiting definitive answers and cleanup actions.
