Dozens of residents living near a major chemical factory in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have been found to have "really high" levels of a cancer-causing forever chemical in their blood. The substance, known as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), has led health officials to inform these individuals they could be at an elevated risk of serious health conditions.

The village has been the subject of an investigation for years by the Environment Agency concerning contamination of soil and locally grown food with PFOA. This chemical is part of a group known as PFAS, or "forever chemicals," because they are highly resistant to degradation. The agency's investigation concluded that high levels of PFOA likely originated from the nearby AGC Chemicals factory, which manufactured coatings for frying pans using the substance until 2012.

One resident, who identified herself only as Sam, told the BBC that she and her husband were informed they were at increased risk. However, she expressed greater shock and guilt regarding her son's results, describing them as "ridiculously off the scale." She voiced her heartbreak at the thought of having passed the chemical to her children through breastfeeding.

Forever chemicals like PFOA are widely used in everyday products due to their water and oil-repellent properties. Concerns about their health impacts have grown because they persist in the environment and the human body. PFOA has been banned in the UK since 2020 after the World Health Organization classified it as a Group 1 carcinogen, signifying clear evidence of its cancer-causing potential.

The Environment Agency and Wyre Council began testing the area around the AGC Chemicals factory in 2024. They detected elevated PFOA levels in soil, eggs, and locally grown vegetables. As a result, two allotment sites near the factory have been closed and are slated for classification as contaminated land. Residents living within 1 kilometer of the factory have also been advised to peel any fruits or vegetables grown in their gardens.

Previous resident requests for official blood testing were met with the UK Health Security Agency stating that PFAS monitoring is not currently recommended, as tests may not offer clear individual information. Instead, independent blood tests were arranged by Manchester Metropolitan University, funded by investigative journalists from Watershed and Law for Change. Forty-nine residents participated, receiving their results on Wednesday.

Andrew Molloy, another participant, discovered he was in the highest-risk category. He admitted he had been "half expecting" abnormal results given the ongoing focus on contamination in the area, though he initially thought his own levels might be normal.

These findings highlight the persistent environmental and health challenges posed by forever chemicals. The elevated PFOA levels in residents' blood underscore the long-term impact of industrial activities on surrounding communities and raise further questions about monitoring, remediation, and public health protection in areas affected by chemical contamination.