No testing for forever chemical made at factory despite evidence

Regulators measuring “forever chemicals” near a Lancashire chemicals plant are not testing for a substance made by the company itself, despite evidence it could harm reproduction and is being emitted in large volumes.

- Rachel Salvidge

Now, independent sampling has found the substance in question in soils around the chemicals plant.

Pfas (perand polyfluoroalkyl substances), or forever chemicals, are a large group of manmade substances used in consumer products, firefighting foams and industrial processes. They do not break down easily and build up in the environment, water, wildlife and human bodies. Scientists have linked some Pfas to cancers, hormone disruption, immune system effects and other health risks.

AGC Chemicals in Thornton-Cleveleys has been under investigation since the Guardian and Watershed Investigations revealed high levels of the banned carcinogenic Pfas called PFOA being discharged from the site into the River Wyre. People nearby have been told not to eat food from their gardens or allotments, and PFOA has been found in vegetables.

ACG said while levels of Pfas had been detected, there had been no conclusion to the ongoing investigation.

The Environment Agency is sampling soils and water around AGC for a range of Pfas - and has detected some, including PFOA - but has ignored one produced by AGC called EEA-NH4, which is used in chemicals for nonstick products such as cookware.

In one report, the agency estimated about 800kg of EEA-NH4 was being emitted into the River Wyre annually, and in another it says the chemical is “very persistent” and “mobile” in the environment, as well as being classified as “reprotoxic category 2”, meaning there is evidence to suggest it could disrupt sexual function, fertility and development in humans.