New tests find raised carcinogen levels near plant

The former chemical plant in Thornton-Cleveleys used PFOA until 2012

Further testing has shown raised levels of a potentially cancer-causing substance near to a chemical plant, a council has said.

Wyre District Council said samples of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) were found in an area in the south east of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone in Thornton-Cleveleys.

PFOA was used at the former ICI site between the 1950s and 2012.

Council leader Michael Vincent told BBC Radio Lancashire he was "very concerned" and that "the uncertainty is causing a lot of concern" among residents.

Vincent said the authority was working on drawing up a detailed map setting out the lower and higher risk areas.

He said further testing would take place in the autumn.

AGC Chemicals Europe, which took over part of the ICI plant, has said it stopped using Perfluoroalkyl and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in 2012, and that 40 years of monitoring showed "no significant impact" from emissions.

The authority said scientists had analysed the soil samples taken from within 500m of the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone.

The council said analysis of the soil samples "confirmed that more detailed sampling is now required in an area to the south east of the Hillhouse site".

They said it was important to note that no part of the area had been formally determined as contaminated, adding that finding answers quickly was an "absolute priority".

Last year, after previous testing, Wyre District Council warned people living near to the site not to eat fruit and vegetables grown in local soil.

A recent BBC investigation into concerns about PFOA in the area heard from residents who feared their health may have been affected by the presence of the chemical in the local environment.

Drop-in session

The majority of the 63 locations tested within 500 metres of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone were considered lower priority for further sampling at this time, the council said.

Letters are to be sent to residents whose properties were sampled as part of the programme.

Councillor Vincent advised residents growing any fruit and vegetables "to use common sense and perhaps don't eat it for the time being".

This contradicts official advice from the Food Standards Agency which says residents should wash and peel any produce grown in the soil within 1km of Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone to remove any soil or dust before eating.

Current advice from the UK Health Security Agency is that local residents should follow the usual hygiene precautions by washing hands thoroughly after working or playing in the garden or allotment, especially when in contact with soil and before handling food or drink.

A drop-in session for residents to ask questions about phase two of the investigation is taking place at Thornton-Cleveleys Football Club between 16:00 and 19:00 BST on Wednesday 23 July.