Since concerns were initially raised about PFAS chemicals the Environment Agency (EA) started assessing their risks. This included looking more closely at certain PFAS chemicals that were used, manufactured or imported into the UK. In parallel, the Environment Agency started looking at some of the key sites it regulated under the Environmental Permitting Regulations to see whether the use of PFAS was properly controlled. AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd at Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, in Thornton-Cleveleys was one of those sites.

As part of this process, the Environment Agency asked AGC to provide information on current and historic use of PFAS on its site. In response to this query, AGC provided information on emissions to air, land and water, indicating that PFOA - a key chemical which had formed part of its production process - had been released into the environment. AGC provided estimates of emissions dating back to the 1950s, when ICI was in control of the site, up until 2012 when PFOA was phased out.

Reviewing this information, and the possibility of PFOA emissions to the wider environment, Environment Agency specialists considered the need for precautionary sampling from the site and surrounding area to better understand potential chemical dispersion.

The EA informed Wyre Council - as the lead authority for contaminated land - of their concerns and to raise the possibility of land contamination in relation to the AGC site at Thornton-Cleveleys.

In April 2024 the EA formally accepted a request from Wyre Council to inspect the site and surrounding land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (the Contaminated Land Regime). The Environment Agency has since been working closely with Wyre Council to progress the investigation. Phase 1, which includes off-site soil and water sampling, commenced in September 2024

What are PFAS?

These chemicals belong to a group called PFAS, which stands for Per- and Poly-Fluorinated Substances. Sometimes known as “forever chemicals”.

There are thousands of chemicals in the PFAS family; and they have different uses and properties.

PFAS chemicals have been widely used in a range of manufacturing processes which began in the early 1950s. As more research is carried out, both in the UK and abroad, our understanding of the potential risk is improving.

PFAS are durable, oil and water resistant, synthetic chemicals, which provide benefits in a large range of applications across the industrial and manufacturing sector. They are often used as stain repellents, in coatings, and in fire-fighting foams.

They are widely used in consumer products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, cosmetics, and food packaging.

PFAS are persistent and some are bio-accumulative and mobile in the environment. This means they will continue to be present and detected for many years. There is considerable national and international research ongoing into the potential risks posed to the environment and human health by PFAS.

Only a few hundred PFAS chemicals are or have been in commercial use. Only a small number of these show any evidence of health and environmental risks, but further research is being done globally to establish if other PFAS pose a risk.

What is PFOA?

PFOA is a type of PFAS and is a Persistent Organic Pollutant that has been subject to restricted use under the Stockholm Convention since 2020.

The UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is currently reviewing evidence on the health effects of PFAS, which will give us a better understanding of potential health risks.

Will land developed within the vicinity of the Hillhouse site have been investigated / remediated for PFOA?

Land contamination and the potential for it is a material planning consideration. Therefore, since the introduction of relevant legislation in 2000, the council has ensured that where the history of a site suggests the potential for contamination, an investigation is undertaken, including remediation of the site where necessary.

Whilst such investigations will have taken place (where relevant) for new development within the vicinity of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, until recently there has been no reason to consider that PFOA could potentially be present on any land.

Therefore, any physical investigation undertaken in support of a planning application will not have included consideration to PFOA.

Is this connected to the issues at Jameson Road Landfill Site?

No, this is a separate issue. This investigation has been launched to establish if historic contamination has occurred from the usage of PFOA at the former ICI site, now AGC Chemicals Ltd, at Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

You can find out more information on Jameson Road Landfill Site here: Jameson Road Landfill Site webpage

When will residents hear more about this?

Wyre Council will keep the community updated during the process and also share the outcome of the investigation once it is complete.

We cannot yet say how long the investigation will take – this will depend on what we find during the initial stages of the investigation.

The Council will arrange drop-in sessions for residents who would like to find out more, and will regularly update this information page.

Will I be able to sell my house?

It is important to stress that the investigation exists to consider whether historic contamination has occurred. No contamination has yet been confirmed.

There are therefore no restrictions on the sale or purchase of any property as a result of this issue, nor in relation to land searches requested as part of a property sale or purchase.

A blue-grey coloured liquid can be seen leaving the site into the River Wyre - is this PFOA?

No. PFOA is not visible in this way.

The discharge comes from several companies in the area and drains a large area of land with a long history of manufacturing. We believe it is caused by salts forming due to the mixing of effluents and is not PFOA or PFAS. We hope to be able to update members of the public on this once further analysis is complete.

Will samples be taken outside of the Hillhouse site?

Sampling locations outside of the Hillhouse site are being determined with the Environment Agency. The intention is for this sampling to take place in a phased manner, commencing on land within close proximity to the site with the potential for it to move out to surrounding areas depending on if contaminants are identified in the first stages of investigation. This may mean areas of land which aren’t included in the first phase of investigation are tested later.

If I eat or have eaten produce grown at the allotments or in gardens nearby, will this harm my health?

Everyone is exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOA, via their diet. Based on current information, people who regularly eat large amounts of vegetables and fruits grown in the allotments or in gardens could be increasing their exposure to PFAS, while occasional or modest intakes are unlikely to greatly affect long-term background intakes.

Various contaminants can be present in soil. The Food Standards Agency advises washing fruit and vegetables with water before consuming to remove soil and dust, as well as for general hygiene reasons such as removing harmful bacteria. Peeling vegetables can also remove more soil and bacteria.

When will we know more about the level of PFOA at the Occupation Road allotments?

Data showing the level of PFOA in the soil indicates that further, more detailed assessment is needed. Wyre Council has taken a proactive step in sharing this

information as part of its commitment to keeping the community updated about the investigation as soon as possible and will continue to do so moving forward.

Why aren’t the results being shared now? If the levels found in the soil are above the guideline, surely they are unsafe.

The initial sampling undertaken was completed to establish if PFAS compounds were present in soil and water with PFOA expected to be the dominant compound. PFAS compounds were detected in soils, comprising predominantly PFOA, which were in excess of the C4SL for soils for PFAS. These are generic levels which only indicate there may be a potential risk. Further sampling/detailed assessment may be required to provide better information and understanding of potential risks.

When assessing whether the presence of a chemical is safe, guidelines are developed based on known or predicted hazards of that chemical. For many substances, including PFOA, there is insufficient evidence to establish the point at which exposure is a cause for concern. This means these guidelines are often set on a precautionary basis, or in other words, considering the uncertainty, lower than what might be an actual safe limit.

Screening levels, known as C4SLs, are available for some substances present in soil, including for PFAS. These help regulators and other land users determine if land is suitable for its current or intended use. If the representative soil concentration of PFOA detected in soil is less than the PFOA interim screening level, there would be no appreciable risk to public health from typical land-use activities. These screening levels make precautionary assumptions, so that if exceedances occur further investigation is initiated to better understand the exposures and any potential health risks.

Information from the Environment Agency

How will you decide where to take soil samples from?

When sampling is done outside the boundary of the industrial site, it would start with areas of land where the deposition of chemicals is considered most likely.

In the first instance, we are looking at public land closest to the site of potential contamination. Sampling will take place in a phased manner and may move out to surrounding areas, depending on what is revealed in the first stages of the investigation. This may mean areas of land which aren’t included in the first phases of work are tested later.

The investigation strategy has been jointly agreed between the Environment Agency and Wyre Council.

Information from the UK Health Security Agency

Is there any public health risk?

At present it is not clear what, if any, public health risk there may be around the site.

Public health advice for people living around or on potential contaminated land sites is aimed at reducing contact with the soil by taking sensible measures.

Local residents should:

continue to enjoy using your garden space as you normally would
follow normal hygiene precautions and wash hands thoroughly after working or playing in the garden or allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food, drink
wash and peel any produce grown in the soil in order to remove any soil or dust

As more data is gathered from the site, the relevant agencies will work together to develop any further guidance as required.

We will update members of the community as we know more.