PFAS contamination in Thornton Cleveleys
If you believe you may have been affected by PFAS contamination in Thornton Cleveleys and are interested in joining a potential legal claim, register your interest here.
Leigh Day is investigating PFAS contamination in Thornton Cleveleys.
The contamination is potentially linked to the AGC Chemicals (formerly ICI) site at Hillhouse Enterprise Zone.
The team is looking into the potential impact on people living in Thornton Cleveleys and the surrounding area.
What are PFAS and why do they matter?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals often referred to as "forever chemicals.". They earned this name because they can remain in our water, soil and air for decades.
One of the most concerning PFAS compounds is Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), which does not break down naturally in the environment and has been classified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen. Exposure to PFOA has been linked to serious health risks. Because it does not easily break down, contamination can affect communities for many years.
Why is there a focus on The Hillhouse Site and Thornton Cleveleys?
The AGC Chemicals site at Hillhouse Enterprise Zone, formerly operated by ICI, is at the centre of this investigation. It is estimated that around 178 tonnes of PFOA have been released from the site since the 1950s.
This contamination has had a tangible effect on the local area:
Local council guidance has advised residents not to eat fruit, vegetables, or eggs grown or produced locally.
Soil contamination has led to seven homes being identified as high risk.
Two allotments have been temporarily closed as they meet the criteria to be determined as contaminated land under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
These findings have prompted further investigations by the local council and the Environment Agency, and they form the basis of Leigh Day's ongoing work on behalf of affected residents.
Our investigation includes considering potential legal remedies for a range of impacts on the local community, including:
Health effects
There is emerging evidence that exposure to certain PFAS can lead to an increased risk of developing serious diseases and some types of cancer, like kidney and testicular cancer.
Local produce
Contamination may affect what residents can safely grow and eat from gardens and allotments. Concerns have also been raised regarding consumption of eggs from poultry and ducks kept locally.
Property values
Concerns about contamination may have an impact on the value or saleability of properties in affected areas.
Our investigation and work so far
Leigh Day is committed to uncovering the full scale of PFAS contamination in Thornton Cleveleys and supporting the community through this process.
Blood testing results
In partnership with scientific experts at Manchester Metropolitan University led by Dr David Megson, we arranged blood testing for 49 residents in the summer of 2026.
The results were significant: 69.4% of those tested fell into the high-risk category above 20 ng/ml for PFAS exposure. According to the NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) guidelines, which is based in the US, doctors treating these individuals should be alert to increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis.
For context, these results are comparable to those seen in the well-known DuPont legal case in Ohio, which inspired the film Dark Waters. The average PFOA level found in the Ohio case was 32.9 ng/ml, while residents tested in Thornton Cleveleys showed an average of 26 ng/ml, a figure that appears to underline the seriousness of this contamination.
Working with scientific experts
Our investigation is guided by leading scientific expertise:
- Dr David Megson, an analytical chemist from Manchester Metropolitan University, who has provided analysis of PFAS blood testing results. Dr Megson is an award-winning expert in chemistry and environmental forensics and has worked extensively on PFAS and PCBs.
- Professor Tony Fletcher, an environmental epidemiologist with over 40 years’ work in occupational and environmental epidemiology and risk assessment, with experience of studies of exposure, biomonitoring, and health impacts such as cancer, respiratory disease and metabolic disorders. He has been researching the health effects of PFAS since 2005, as a member of the C8 Science Panel which led a major investigation on the potential health effects of PFOA in West Virginia and Ohio. More recently he has been working in epidemiology programmes in PFAS contaminated communities in Sweden, Italy and Jersey.
Meeting with local residents
We have held community meetings in Thornton Cleveleys to share updates on our investigation, answer questions and hear directly from local residents. We will continue to engage with the community as our investigation progresses.
Register your interest
Meet the team leading this investigation
Our PFAS investigation is led by Sarah Moore, a partner at Leigh Day with extensive experience leading complex environmental and product liability claims. Sarah works alongside a wider team of specialist lawyers dedicated to holding organisations accountable for environmental harm.
What our clients say
Our investigation, supported by blood testing and expert scientific analysis, has found that 69.4% of tested residents fall into a high-risk category above 20 ng/ml for PFAS exposure. According to the NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) guidelines, doctors treating these individuals should be alert to increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer and ulcerative colitis.
Leigh Day continues to investigate the full scale and impact of the contamination.
You may have been affected if you live or have lived near the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone in Thornton Cleveleys, particularly if you have spent a significant period of time in the area, eaten locally produced fruit, vegetables, or eggs, or used allotment plots near the site.
Our blood testing found elevated PFAS levels across all distance bands from the factory, so if you are unsure whether you are affected, we encourage you to register your interest and speak to our team.
In addition, you may have concerns regarding the use, enjoyment and/or value of your property if you live in Thornton Cleveleys. Again, we would encourage you to get in touch with the team.
Residents near the Hillhouse site may have been exposed to PFAS through contaminated soil in gardens and allotments, ingestion of locally grown produce such as vegetables, fruit, and eggs, and potentially through environmental pathways such as air and water over many years. The length of residence may be associated with higher levels of exposure to PFAS.
Our experts are currently undertaking further analysis of all of the available data.
You do not need to gather formal evidence before contacting us as we are currently investigating a potential legal claim. However, it would be useful to provide us with information on where and how long you have lived in the area, whether you have eaten locally grown produce, kept allotment plots, and any relevant medical history you are comfortable sharing.
Beyond what has been reported publicly, we are not in a position to speak on behalf of the company.
AGC Chemicals has made public statements acknowledging that PFOA was used at the Hillhouse site from the 1950s and that it was phased out of manufacturing processes by 2012. It has also acknowledged publicly that it continues to emit “trace” quantitites of PFOA and another type of PFAS called EEA-NH4.
We understand this is a deeply concerning question for parents and carers in the area. We strongly encourage all residents to follow the latest official advice from public health bodies, which may include guidance on using outdoor spaces, gardens, and allotment areas.
Leigh Day is not in a position to provide safety assessments, and any specific concerns about children's health should be raised with your GP or a qualified medical professional.
International research has identified potential links of PFAS exposure - particularly with PFOA - with a range of health conditions in some studies, including certain cancers, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, and immune system effects. PFOA has been classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, though the science in this area continues to develop.
It is important to note that without the appropriate expert and detailed reference to your individual circumstances, it cannot be determined whether any potential PFAS exposure has caused or will cause any particular health condition. If you have concerns about your health in connection with potential PFAS exposure, we encourage you to speak with your GP or a qualified medical professional.
Yes. Our blood testing found elevated PFAS levels in residents living more than two kilometres from the Hillhouse site. If you live or have lived in the broader Thornton Cleveleys area and are concerned about potential exposure, we encourage you to register your interest regardless of your exact distance from the factory.
Yes, registering your interest carries no obligation and no upfront cost.
Our team will contact you to provide further details of our investigation and explain the next steps. We will also continue to keep you informed of any significant developments in our ongoing investigations. Our team will contact you to provide further details of our investigation and explain the next steps. We will also continue to keep you informed of any significant developments in our ongoing investigations.
Environmental contamination cases of this scale are complex and can take time to develop. We will also need to take account of the advice of our experts. We are unable to give precise timelines at this stage, but we will keep everyone who has registered their interest informed of the progress as the investigation moves forward.
Register your interest
If you live in Thornton Cleveleys or the surrounding area and are concerned about PFAS contamination, we want to hear from you. Registering your interest helps us build a clearer picture of the contamination's impact and ensures you stay informed as our investigation progresses.
Complete our short enquiry form, and a member of our team will be in touch. Alternatively, you can reach us directly at pfasenquiries@leighday.co.uk