Lancashire chemicals factory facing potential legal claim announces closure
Summary
A chemicals factory in Lancashire called AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd plans to close after facing financial losses and legal claims from local residents. The factory’s historic emissions of a harmful chemical called Pfoa, linked to cancer, have contaminated the area, leading to investigations and health concerns.Key Facts
- AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd is consulting employees about closing its Lancashire factory, affecting 190 workers.
- The factory has lost money for four years and has not made a final closure decision yet.
- The factory emitted an estimated 49 tonnes of Pfoa, a chemical linked to kidney cancer, between the 1950s and 2012.
- Pfoa is a type of "forever chemical" that does not break down in the environment and was banned worldwide in 2020.
- Soil and local food near the factory showed contamination, leading to advice for residents to wash food and avoid local eggs.
- More than 90 residents want to join a possible lawsuit involving contamination and health risks.
- A government study found higher rates of kidney cancer near the site but did not confirm a direct link to the contamination.
- The factory previously tested Pfoa on monkeys, causing harm to the animals.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
