Blood tests find elevated PFOA in Lancashire volunteers

Blood tests of 49 volunteers in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, found that roughly seven in 10 had PFOA levels above risk thresholds used in the United States and Germany, according to results from Manchester Metropolitan University. The highest reading exceeded 400 nanograms per millilitre, while the participants’ average was reported as 26 nanograms per millilitre. The results indicate potential exposure, but do not diagnose illness or establish how representative the volunteers are of the wider community. The United Kingdom has no comparable threshold for PFOA levels in people, so the risk categories were based on foreign guidance. Health concerns associated with PFOA include increased risks of some cancers and other conditions, but elevated levels do not mean an individual will develop them. UK health authorities have said routine PFAS blood testing is not recommended because results may not provide clear information for individuals. The testing followed an investigation into possible contamination around the Hillhouse industrial site. The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have investigated the area since 2024.