Residents of Bentham, England, are exploring first-of-its-kind legal action against a firefighting foam manufacturer, claiming PFAS contamination has impacted their health, environment and property values.
Pippa Neill reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Bentham is the UK’s most PFAS-polluted site, with contamination traced to the Angus Fire factory, which formerly produced firefighting foams containing these chemicals.
- Residents have hired Leigh Day law firm to investigate a potential lawsuit, marking the UK’s first PFAS-related legal case, with claims of financial and health consequences.
- Elevated PFAS levels in local soil have led to advisories for residents to clean homes regularly and avoid consuming unpeeled produce from the land.
Key quote:
“PFAS are ‘forever chemicals,’ and unfortunately that means the chemical pollution in the area is anything but a historic issue. Our clients and the wider community in Bentham are entitled to fully understand the extent of PFAS pollution in their community, so that those allegedly responsible can be held to account.”
— Charlotte Armstrong, senior associate solicitor at Leigh Day.
Why this matters:
PFAS, linked to serious illnesses like cancer, persist in the environment and are challenging to remediate. The lack of government action on these chemicals highlights the need for stronger regulation to protect public health and the environment.
