Public meeting being staged to discuss ‘forever chemicals’ at Thornton

A meeting for residents of Thornton who are concerned about chemical pollution close to their homes is being staged tomorrow.

A panel of legal and scientific experts will discuss test results published recently which have confirmed the presence of PFAS chemicals, sometimes known as ‘forever chemicals’, in the soil of people’s properties.

The panel will explore what the results mean for the health of the local population and environment, and what legal solutions may be available to the community.

The meeting will take place at Thornton-Cleveleys Football Club, Gamble Road, on Thursday, May 21, from 5pm-7pm.

Investigations by Wyre Council into chemical pollution from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) found that soil samples from 71 Thornton properties near the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone in the town had concentrations of the PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), part of the PFAS chemical family.

PFOA has been identified as carcegenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.

The properties tested are close to a site at Hillhouse, which is currently run by AGC Chemicals and was previously occupied by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) until 1992.

Testing carried out by Wyre Council and the Environment Agency found PFOA in “a majority of properties tested”, with the council stating that seven properties had been categorised as “high risk”.

AGC Chemicals has said that while PFOA had been used at the Hillhouse site since the 1950s, the chemical was phased out from manufacturing processes by 2012.

Last month more than than 60 residents in Thornton were confirmed to have sought help from legal experts over fears the land their homes stand on are contaminated by cancer-causing toxins.

At the meeting this week, the panel of experts leading discussions and answering residents’ questions will include Dr Tony Fletcher and Dr David Megson, scientists with extensive experience and expertise on PFAS, and Leigh Day partner Sarah Moore, who leads the law firm’s investigations into PFAS pollution.

Sarah Moore said: “Recent investigations by Wyre Council and the Environment Agency have identified levels of PFAS in soil from a number of properties in Thornton, some of which have been labelled as “high risk”.

“This has naturally caused a great deal of concern among residents: We are bringing together a panel of experts who can address residents’ concerns in this meeting.

“We hope the panel will be able to provide the advice and information that residents are looking for, as well as outlining what steps can be taken towards legal action from the community should they wish to explore this. The meeting is free to attend, and all residents are welcome.”

Last month, Wyre Council Leader Michael Vincent said residents have ‘a right to be upset’.

He said: “I feel their frustration, and residents need answers.

“I don’t have an exact number of properties to hand for the 1km zone, but there are around 1,000 in total.

“The higher risk area is to the South / South West of the site. I’d say it was no more than 250 in the high-risk area.

“We have test results back from 71 properties within the 1km zone as part of phase 3.

“The EA and partner agencies are currently planning phase 4 and the council want to be sure it’s done in a way that means every household in the gets a safe, reliable answer regarding contaminated land. “