Residents in contaminated soil legal action threat
BBCMore than 60 homeowners living near a former industrial site are considering taking legal action over the presence of a carcinogenic chemical.
An ongoing investigation into so-called "forever chemicals" released from the former ICI plant in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, has led to the closure of two nearby allotments.
People with plots on Occupation Road and Sandringham Avenue have been told to collect their belongings and not consume any produce they have grown.
The Environment Agency said it was continuing to look at the surrounding area that may have been contaminated. AGC Chemicals Europe, which now owns the land, said its "highest priority" was supporting the community.
The chemicals, known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs), are found in everyday products but can be harmful to the environment and there are also concerns over their health impact.
They are used in products such as school uniforms because of their oil-resistant and waterproof properties.
AGC Chemicals Europe stopped using them in 2012.
Soil samples from 71 properties showed the presence of PFOAs near the site.
While no action was deemed necessary in the majority of cases, seven "high risk" properties require further investigation.
Wyre Council Leader Michael Vincent said owners of up to 500 properties should take advice at a drop-in session, which will be held at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club from 16:00 to 19:00 GMT.
A second session will take place at the same location and time on Tuesday 17 March.
"It's really important that if people are concerned they do make contact with us," he said.
Samantha Hammond, who lives next to the allotment and rears ducks, was advised not to eat eggs from them because of "elevated" levels of the potentially cancer-causing chemical.
The Food Standards Agency said eating only one of these eggs a week would take you over the safe limit.
Last week Hammond received a letter, informing her that the results of tests showed her property was at higher risk.
"Within days of getting the letter they have closed the allotments that they have kept open until then," she said.
"That makes me worry even more."
GoogleAndrew Molloy, whose house was built on land that was previously part of the factory, is concerned about problems with not only his health but that of his family.
His GP has told him that the NHS will not pay for blood tests for PFOA.
As such, he wants the council to meet those costs.
"I certainly think it is worth investigating further and I don't think it is being investigated from a health point of view," he said.
Wyre Council said ICI, and subsequent site owner AGC Chemicals, were permitted to use PFOA from the 1950s to 2012.
AGC Chemicals Europe is carrying out its own investigation, which it said was more complex and did not just focus on PFOA.
"While the multi-agency off-site investigation focuses on shallow soil analysis, ours also includes testing soils, groundwater and surface water," a spokesperson said.
"Due to the long history of chemicals manufacturing in this area dating back to the 1890s, and by ICI for over 50 years, in our view, conducting a comprehensive investigation in this way on part of the former ICI site that we occupy is the best way to understand the scope and impact of legacy chemicals that have been used here over many decades."
Councillor Vincent said he wanted the Environment Agency to put pressure on the company to speed up its own investigation.
"This investigation onsite is way behind where we would like it to be, so I don't want to give anyone any estimate," he said.
"We have been very patient so far, waiting for results, but given where we are now with the site investigation, I am quite disappointed at the pace of that."
The Environment Agency said the investigation, which was launched by Wyre Council, continues to be a multi-agency effort.
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