Locals in Lancashire village living near factory told they could have cancer-causing chemical in blood

Locals in Lancashire village living near factory told they could have cancer-causing chemical in blood Stunned residents have been told they have high levels of PFOA in their blood, a 'forever chemical' that can cause cancer, liver damage, and complications during pregnancy People living near a major factory were left horrified after discovering they have high levels of a cancer-causing 'forever chemical' in their blood. Residents of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have been told they could be at risk of serious health complications, after tests revealed unsafe amounts of the synthetic toxin Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). Blood tests had been carried out on 49 households in the area by Manchester Metropolitan University after the Environment Agency launched an investigation into contamination around the Hillhouse industrial site, a chemical works on the outskirts of the town. Over 70% of them came back showing PFOA levels above internationally-regarded safe limits. Guidelines introduced in Germany and the United States after PFAO and PFAS contamination scandals were used to gauge the potential health impacts of the 'forever chemicals', as Britain does not currently have a comparable limit. Studies have linked PFOA to a number of serious health conditions, including kidney and testicular cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and developmental complications during pregnancy. More than 100 residents are now considering legal action against Japanese firm AGC chemicals, the current owners of the factory, after investigations identified the site as the likely source of the contamination. Sam, a mum from the village of Thornton, said she, her husband and her son all tested positive for the chemical. She told the BBC: "I feel guilty because I've introduced [my children] to that way of life. I know it isn't my fault, but the guilt is horrific. Knowing that I've offloaded what levels I probably had over the years into those children when I breastfed them - that's heartbreaking." Another local resident, Andrew Molloy, said he was shocked to discover he was the highest-risk category, as earlier reports had suggested the contamination affected only the soil in the area. "The investigation here has all been focused on you only really being at risk if you eat fruit and veg from the garden or grow your own eggs - which I don't", he told the broadcaster. Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), the company that originally built the site in the 1940s and operated it for decades, began winding down its operations towards the end of the 20th century, closing the chlorine plant in 1992. The factory was then sold to Japanese firm AGC Chemicals. AGC announced last week that it would be permanently shutting down the factory by the end of this year.