Lancashire PFAS Factory Closure Raises Health and Cleanup Questions
8 reported2 unconfirmed
Residents near the AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, are facing health concerns after the company announced plans to close the plant. The UK Environment Agency and local authority began investigating historic emissions of the carcinogenic chemical Pfoa from the factory in 2024. AGC Chemicals Europe cited “significant financial and operational challenges” for the closure, which follows reporting on the factory and looming legal action. Residents have been advised to wash and peel homegrown food and avoid eating locally produced eggs, and two allotment sites near the factory have been closed. Between the 1950s and 2012, the facility emitted 49 tonnes of Pfoa, a type of forever chemical linked to kidney cancer. A government study found no evidence of a cancer cluster or environmental association, but experts described the findings as a “major cause of concern” and called for further investigation, including blood testing. The law firm Leigh Day has written to AGC Chemicals Europe about investigating a potential claim on behalf of a resident whose pet duck eggs are heavily contaminated with Pfoa, and more than 90 residents have indicated interest in legal action.
What’s reported
AGC Chemicals Europe factory in Thornton-Cleveleys announced plans to close, citing “significant financial and operational challenges.”
The UK Environment Agency and local authority initiated an investigation into historic Pfoa emissions from the factory in 2024.
Between the 1950s and 2012, the facility emitted 49 tonnes of Pfoa, a carcinogenic forever chemical linked to kidney cancer.
Residents have been advised to wash and peel homegrown food and avoid eating locally produced eggs; two allotment sites near the factory have been closed.
A government study found no evidence of a cancer cluster or environmental association, but experts called the findings a “major cause of concern” and urged further investigation.
Law firm Leigh Day has written to AGC Chemicals Europe about investigating a claim on behalf of a resident whose pet duck eggs are heavily contaminated with Pfoa.
More than 90 residents have indicated they are keen to be involved in potential legal action, with 50 accessing blood tests over the summer.
AGC Chemicals Europe stated it takes its “responsibilities to protect employees, the local community and the environment very seriously” and committed to regulatory compliance.
Open questions
Who will pay for the clean-up of the factory site.
Whether any individual’s cancer was caused by exposure to Pfoa, as the government study found no evidence of a cancer cluster.
Key figures
Liz Hurst: Thornton-Cleveleys resident diagnosed with kidney cancer 15 years ago.
Sam Hammond: Thornton-Cleveleys resident whose pet duck eggs are heavily contaminated with Pfoa.
AGC Chemicals Europe: Company that owns the factory.
Sources: The Guardian
