Forever chemicals

An investigation has found a potentially hazardous legacy lurking beneath our feet.

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Analysis by Unearthed reveals that over 100 old landfill sites across England, some containing a cocktail of dangerous substances from heavy metals to persistent pollutants, have flooded at least once this century.

Over 2,600 dump sites lie within 50 metres of watercourses.

Historic landfills, relics from a time before stringent environmental regulations, often lack safeguards to prevent pollutants from leaching into the environment.

Many of the 20,000-odd former landfills are probably safe but some could be sinister.