Thornton-Cleveleys: Extra soil testing close to chemical website

PFOA was used on the former ICI website between the Fifties and 2012.

Sampling may even be undertaken at areas thought of to be at “lower risk”.

These are meant to assist validate earlier outcomes, together with areas to the south, west and north-west of the power and Sandringham Avenue allotments.

The organisations concerned – together with Wyre Council and the Environment Agency – mentioned they have been dedicated to appearing “as swiftly and efficiently as possible”.

They mentioned their investigations normally moved ahead in steps, with every stage offering a deeper understanding of the state of affairs.

Michael Vincent, chief of Wyre Council, mentioned it’s hoped the outcomes of the assessments could be accessible early subsequent yr.

“At this stage I don’t think people need to be worried,” he mentioned. “The threat to public health comes from when the soil or PFOA is consumed.”

AGC Chemicals Europe, which took over a part of the ICI plant, has beforehand mentioned it stopped utilizing PFOA in 2012, and that 40 years of monitoring confirmed “no significant impact” from emissions.

Last yr, after earlier testing, Wyre District Council warned individuals dwelling close to to the location to not eat fruit and greens grown in native soil.

A BBC investigation into issues about PFOA within the space heard from residents who feared their well being could have been affected by the presence of the chemical within the native surroundings.