The UK has been in the spotlight recently for its first confirmed PFAS (Per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination case which continues to hit the headlines and evolve at a rapid rate.
Background
The Thornton-Cleveleys case centres on severe, historic environmental contamination that was released by AGC Chemicals Europe at their industrial site in the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, located on the River Wyre in Lancashire. From a review of our historical mapping archive, we can identify the site was recorded and mapped as a chemical works since 1951.
According to an article published by the Guardian, AGC Chemicals’ plant is estimated to have released approximately 115 tonnes of the now banned chemical PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), into soils, landfills, water and the air, between the period of 1950 and 2012. This period includes the time when the chemicals company Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI) operated at the site. It also states that Wyre Council advised local residents that the chemical PFOA can persist in the environment for thousands of years before breaking down. Consequently, any contamination that may have taken place during the 1950’s, would still be present today*.
It wasn’t until July 2024 that an investigation was started by the Environment Agency (EA), following the identification of PFAS contamination in areas surrounding the site.
The challenge
Over the decades, the site manufactured a wide range of chemicals, plastics and other industrial products. This long history of chemical production and manufacturing has left a legacy of significant environmental challenges, including contamination of soil and water, as a result of years of industrial activity. Groundsure’s historical mapping archive indicates the earliest available map, dated from 1848, which identifies the area as a small village-type residential space, located approx 200m west of the site. Since then, the area has continued to develop and grow in population until now – whereby residential properties now lie adjacent to the west and south of the site.
What triggered the site investigation?
- Formal inspection of land began in 2024, following evidence the Environment Agency (EA) obtained that indicated historic emission of the chemical chain PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) from the AGC site(1);
- This is because the Environment Agency had undertaken risk evaluations of PFAS currently used in the UK, whereby they are reviewing permitted facilities, as part of their Risk Screening Project to identify and prioritise sites with potential PFAS risks;
- However, AGC was prioritised for a review of its permit, to assess how emissions were currently being managed(1);
- As part of this process, the Environment Agency requested information from AGC on the current and historic use of PFAS at its site(1);
- AGC disclosed information on emissions to air, land and water which confirmed that PFOA (a key chemical used in its production process) had been released into the environment(1);
- AGC also provided estimated emissions data – covering the period from the 1950s, when the site was operated by ICI, until 2012, when PFOA was phased out(1).
What triggered the site investigation – continued
Having reviewed the information requested from and supplied by AGC, the Environment Agency assessed the potential (risk) for PFOA emissions to have spread beyond the site and into the wider environment. As a result, the Environment Agency considered precautionary sampling of the site and surrounding area to better understand the extent of chemical dispersion(1).
As a result, the Environment Agency informed Wyre Council of its concerns over potential land contamination and in response, Wyre Council requested that the Environment Agency inspect the site and surrounding land, under Part 2A of the Environmental Act 1990(1).
Since then, the investigation into widespread PFAS contamination continues to involve a multi-agency collaboration, with Wyre Council, the Environment Agency and the UK Health Security Agency – they each have separate, yet distinctive roles.
It’s worth noting that any investigation carried out under Part 2A of the Environmental Act 1990, is a complex legal process; investigations are based on evidence and typically progress in stages – with each stage adding to the findings of the previous one. Wyre Council continues to follow the legal steps as set out under Part 2A.
Key chemicals explained
PFAS:
Known as Per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), they are a large family of over 10,000 highly persistent man-made chemicals that don’t readily degrade in nature. They have been widely used in everyday items and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water and grease. Due to their persistence, they’ve picked up the nickname “forever chemicals” in both the media and everyday conversation.
PFOA:
Known as Perfluorooctanoic acid, a known type of PFAS, which was classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation in 2023. It was widely used to manufacture non-stick coatings (such as Teflon), stain-resistant fabrics, water-repellent textiles, and used in firefighting foams.
POP: Persistent Organic Pollutants
These are organic compounds (carbon-based) that are resistant to degradation through chemical, biological and photolytic processes. They become widely distributed throughout the environment as a result of natural processes involving soil, water and air. They are toxic to both humans and wildlife. Learn more here.
Assessing the risk to human health from contamination levels in the soil
Within this investigation at the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone, authorities initially used recently published soil guidelines(1): CL:AIRE Interim Category 4 Screening Levels (C4SL) which apply to four separate PFAS, including PFOA(1). C4SL is an indicator of the level of a substance in soil. Readings below the C4SL threshold are considered to have a low or minimal risk, if C4SLs are exceeded, they’re a trigger for further investigation and assessment. (The CL:AIRE guidelines were updated in 2023 to develop the 20th substance for PFAS).
Some key facts on Thornton Cleveleys case for PFAS
- In early February 2026, the Food Standards Agency advised people to avoid eating domestically-produced eggs, or egg-laying poultry near to the chemical plant, after raised levels of a potentially cancer-causing substance were found;
- Back in 2024, Wyre Council advised residents not to eat fruit and vegetables grown in local soil(2), following concerns about the levels of a potentially carcinogenic substance found in the ground near the plant. The authority said PFAO were found in an area, in the south east of the Hillhouse site;
- The Local Authority (LA) and the Environment Agency are pursuing classification of Part 2A investigations for PFAS chemicals in areas such as allotments;
- In early July 2026, Wyre Council updated their website saying that the Environment Agency have presented conclusions stating that both the Occupational Allotments and Sandringham Avenue Allotments in Thornton-Cleveleys meet the criteria to be determined as Contaminated Land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(3);
- These conclusions follow the two phases of shallow soil sampling carried out, which found PFOA levels above the low risk interim screen level for soils where produce is grown in allotments;
- In mid July 2026, AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd announced plans to close down the site and cease operations at Hillhouse. It’s currently consulting with employees and union representatives – the consultation is expected to last for at least 45 days. The company said no final decision had been made, but all 190 employees and 18 agency staff would be affected(4).
At Groundsure, we will continue to see how the UK’s first PFAS contamination case unfolds.
PFAS – an evolving regulatory area
PFAS regulation in the UK is still being worked-on, with further guidance, information and controls expected in the near future. However, the UK published its first ever national strategy to tackle PFAS this year.
In February 2026, the UK’s Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published its first national strategy to tackle and address PFAS. This cross-government, science-led approach sets out the management of risks posed by PFAS.
The plan contains three pillars:
- Understanding PFAS sources
- Tackling PFAS pathways
- Reducing ongoing exposure to PFAS
The plan signals that the government will be proactive in PFAS regulation, create new restrictions, update waste frameworks and more. Learn more here.
What are Groundsure doing regarding PFAS contamination?
Groundsure has been evaluating how PFAS-related land uses could be identified within our existing report data, and we’re currently exploring new data options that would highlight other relevant PFAS-related concerns.
To learn more about our PFAS-related data points and mapping, contact us for an informal chat.
Contact: [email protected]
References: (1)https://www.wyre.gov.uk/environmental-health-community-safety/hillhouse-international-enterprise-zone-thornton-cleveleys/2#Q1 (2)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74vey27me2o (3)https://www.wyre.gov.uk/news/article/652/further-allotment-site-recommended-for-contaminated-land-determination (4)https://agcce.com/agc-chemicals-europe-ltd-to-consult-with-staff-on-proposal-to-cease-production-at-hillhouse-thornton-cleveleys/ * https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/24/residents-near-lancashire-chemicals-plant-told-to-wash-homegrown-produce
