Cancer-Linked ‘Forever Chemical’ Detected in Blood of Residents Near UK Factory

Residents near a UK factory tested with high levels of cancer-causing PFOA. 70% at risk, reports reveal.

September 24, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Thornton-Cleveleys, United Kingdom — A significant number of residents living near a major chemical facility in the UK have been found to have elevated levels of a cancer-linked “forever chemical” in their blood, according to new findings.

Lawyers representing dozens of individuals from Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, commissioned tests that revealed “really high levels” of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the bloodstream of 49 residents. Nearly 70% of those tested had concentrations of the substance that could pose serious health risks.

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The results, obtained through independent analysis, highlight concerns over long-term exposure to PFOA, a chemical previously banned for its potential to cause cancer. One individual was found to have particularly dangerous levels of the compound, prompting calls for further investigation into the factory’s environmental impact.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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