High levels of ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS found in some Bentham residents

Testing undertaken as part of the investigation found that around a third of people tested had high levels of PFAS in their bloodstreams.

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to the long periods of time they take to break down in the environment. Some of the chemicals in this family are known or suspected carcinogens, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is categorised as one by the World Health Organisation.

Leigh Day has previously acted on behalf of a family in a case relating to alleged PFAS contamination in Bentham from a local manufacturing plant. The case was successfully settled in 2025.

The recent ITV and ENDS investigation in Bentham saw 39 people tested, with a third of them recording high levels of PFAS and 9 discovered to be in the highest risk category (more than 20 nanograms per millilitre of blood).

In the recently broadcast ITV documentary ‘In Our Blood: The Forever Chemicals Scandal’, which investigates the pollution in Bentham, PFAS expert Dr David Megson labelled some of the results as “higher than anything we’d ever expect to see in the background population”.

Leigh Day is also currently leading an investigation around PFAS pollution in Thornton Cleveleys, where investigations by Wyre Council and the Environment Agency have found high levels of PFAS in soil and eggs.

It is thought that pollution in the town may be caused by the operation of factories in the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone. The site was historically operated by Imperial Chemical Industries and is now run by AGC Chemicals, which says it phased the use of PFOA out in 2012.

The BBC reported seven properties in Thornton Cleveleys were identified as “high risk” following soil testing, while the Food Standards Agency has issued advice to people living within 1 kilometre of the Hillhouse site that they should not consume home-produced eggs or allow them to enter the food chain.

Blood testing has not yet been provided for residents in Thornton Cleveleys.

Leigh Day continues to work with families and individuals impacted, with the results of further testing yet to be released by the Environment Agency.

Leigh Day partner Sarah Moore, who leads the firm’s PFAS investigations, said:

“The blood results for individuals in Bentham are very concerning. Work done in the US and by the Expert Advisory Committee in Jersey now provides a strong evidence base for ensuring that those impacted by elevated PFAS in the blood are properly monitored. This includes, where appropriate, being able to access treatments that can assist in lowering those levels. We are currently working with families impacted by PFAS exposure in Thornton Cleveleys to ensure they can access effective monitoring and health advice. We hope that those impacted in Bentham will be provided with similar access”