Briefing
Subject: PFAS Pollution at Bentham
Date: 16th November 2024
Authored for and on behalf of Cleaner Bentham Limited for Cleaner Bentham Group
Copyright Cleaner Bentham Limited 2024.
Information within this page has been verified and written by a pollution expert for Cleaner Bentham and the Residents of Bentham.
Summary
Use of “forever chemicals” at an industrial facility in the town of Bentham, Lancashire, may have caused pollution of the groundwater under the area, surface water streams and rivers, and the soil in the local area and possibly beyond. Local residents, visitors, and workers may have been exposed to the chemicals which are known to be carcinogenic at very low concentrations.
Chemicals
PFAS (per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances) is a group of chemicals with fluoride in the formula which comprises at least 5,000 individual substances. They have been commonly used in various products due to their non-stick and water repellent properties such as in frying pans. In many of those products, the PFAS chemicals are bound in and generally do not get released in a way that damages human health or the environment. In contrast, in Bentham, PFAS has been used in fire-fighting products such as foams which are sprayed into the environment where they then can impact human health and environmental receptors. When analysing the impacts of pollutants, specific thresholds are identified, below which they are not considered to pose a significant risk. Such levels are typically measured in parts per thousand or parts per million. In the case of PFAS, acceptable levels are extremely low, in the parts per billion level. This indicates the potency of these chemicals.
Sources : Angus Fire Bentham.
Angus Fire (owned by LDC managers Ltd) describe themselves as “The global leader in firefighting technology”. They have a large manufacturing and testing facility in the town of Bentham in Lancashire. It is reported that the Angus Fire site at Bentham recorded the highest concentration of PFAS chemicals in the U.K., many thousands of times higher than acceptable standards allow.
Receptors
Cleaner Bentham are concerned that the following groups may have been exposed to PFAS chemicals:
- Former and current workers at Angus Fire.
- Local residents.
- Visitors to Bentham
- Site users of the Riverside Caravan park nearby.
- Humans who consumed fish from a nearby fish farm.
- Fauna such as domestic animals, livestock and wild animals, also potentially impacting products such as milk and meat.
- There is also concern that insect life may also have been impacted.
- Agricultrual areas that may have been sold 'Bio Solids' from the Local Sewerage Farm.
Pathways
The following are examples of possible pathways by which the various receptors are thought to have been potentially exposed:
- The manufacturing and testing of fire fighting products such as foams is thought to have released PFAS chemicals into the air, where they may have been directly inhaled by workers, residents and visitors. Recent work by consultants Ramboll have recorded PFAS chemicals on land around the Angus Fire facility. It is understood that the PFAS chemicals got onto that land via an airborne route (via smoke, particulates / dust and in vapour suspension).
- It is possible that the airborne PFAS was also exposed to local fauna, aquatic and livestock products, via inhalation.
- Environment Agency Compliance Assessment Reports have shown that Angus Fire has released PFAS chemicals into the local stream over many years. This stream flows into a nearby river, where a fish farm formerly operated. It is understood from local knowledge that the fish farm produced fish for human consumption.
- There are allotments close to the Angus Fire Facility. It is possible that the soils in this allotment (and potentially other local gardens and fields) are impacted with PFAS chemicals. Produce from the allotments and gardens may contain PFAS which has then been consumed by local residents.
- CB has been told that Bentham’s water supply is from Yorkshire Water and is not impacted. However, the groundwater under the site and town is known to contain PFAS. PFAS was identified in the borehole at the Riverside Caravan park. The borehole licence records that the borehole water is used for drinking water.
- Anecdotal reports from local residents describe how local residents, including children, came into direct dermal contact with firefighting foams. This is to be determined by closer analysis of available evidence.
- CB understands from current and former Angus Fire staff that they worked with the products containing the PFAS chemicals and may have had some exposure via dermal, inhalation, and possibly ingestion routes. There are also reports of no breathing or clothing protection being used by staff when working with such materials.
- Angus has a permit to discharge waste into the sewer system. There have been recent and historic incidents of Angus Fire discharging waste water to the sewer farm, which United Utilities (in the form of Bio Solids) sells to local farms to help grow Livestock and crops.
Aims of Cleaner Bentham
Cleaner Bentham is a group of local residents and supporters who are concerned about the impact the PFAS chemicals may have had on their community and local environment.
CB are concerned that Bentham has a higher rate of cancer and other illnesses than would be expected for a rural community.
CB wish to see that adequate remediation works are undertaken to protect the local community, and to support those who have been impacted.
CB are aware of the “fears” of local residents and wish that any information communicated to the public is technically robust, open and honest.
Cleaner Bentham has instructed the repretable Law firm Mischon De Reya to represent the Residents and Businesses of Bentham who believe they have been affected by Pollution, by either harm to their health, or impacted finacially.
