The Angus Fire site in High Bentham was used to produce firefighting foams for many year, with some of these foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Angus Fire stopped testing foams containing PFAS in Bentham in 2022, and has since stopped manufacturing all foam products at the site.
However, these historical operations have led to PFAS accumulating on the property. In particular, testing of a borehole beneath the Angus Fire site found very high levels of PFAS. Angus Fire has confirmed that the borehole has been capped off and has never been used for drinking water.
Investigations are ongoing to look at to what extent PFAS from Angus Fire may have affected other parts of the site and potentially the surrounding area.
Per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 10,000 man-made chemicals that have been widely used in consumer products and industrial processes since the 1940s. They have oil and water repelling properties and are used in a range of everyday products such as:
- non-stick cookware
- food packaging
- water-repellent clothing
- cosmetics
- firefighting foams
Because PFAS resist breaking down over extended periods they are sometimes referred to as ‘forever chemicals’. They have been found in the environment including in groundwater, rivers, soil, humans and wildlife.
The fact that PFAS are likely to remain in the environment for a long time has raised concerns about their lasting impact on human health and the environment.
Our role in investigating the issues in High Bentham
We have regulatory responsibilities for two key areas of environmental protection that are relevant to the concerns raised around the Angus Fire site in High Bentham:
- private water supplies
- contaminated land
Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the standards of private water supplies as set out in the Water Industry Act 1991 and Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016. This is done by a regime of risk assessments and sampling involving examination and analysis.
We can take enforcement action if supplies are found to be non-compliant with the regulations. In most circumstances supply owners will be given time to make the necessary improvements.
Local authorities are also responsible for identifying contaminated land within their areas and ensuring that appropriate remediation measures are taken, in accordance with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This includes assessing risk and determining whether land meets the legal definition of contaminated land:
"Contaminated land" is any land which appears to the local authority in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land that:
(a) significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or
(b) significant pollution of controlled waters is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such pollution being caused
Roles of other organisations
We are not the only organisation involved in local environmental regulation. The Environment Agency plays a key role in ensuring that the site’s operations do not harm the environment. Yorkshire Water are the company responsible for drinking water in the Bentham area, and United Utilities are the company responsible for wastewater management.
Regulators also work with relevant public health bodies regarding any potential issues that could affect human health. This includes the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Director of Public Health (DPH).
Information about Angus Fire from other organisations
Find out about:
- the Environment Agency's role at the Angus Fire Site
- information for local residents from Bentham Town Council
Latest findings
Private water supplies
In 2024 we instigated a PFAS sampling program for the two identified private water supplies within the vicinity of Angus Fire. Regular sampling has been and will continue to be undertaken in line with the Drinking Water Inspectorate guidelines.
The sampling and analysis is carried out by an approved contractor and accredited laboratory. The results obtained have clearly and consistently demonstrated that PFAS is not present in either supply. The total concentration for the 48 PFAS chemicals has been repeatedly reported as zero.
Contaminated land assessment
We requested Angus Fire to provide detailed information on current and historical contaminated land issues at the site. This information will allow us to assess the potential hazards and determine what if any further intervention needs to be taken.
Angus Fire has instructed an environmental consultant to undertake a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment of the site in accordance with the Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) guidance.
The consultants have considered several sources of information including current and historical land use data. They have reviewed commercially available topographical, geological and hydrogeological maps as well as previous environmental site investigation reports undertaken at the premises which included soil and groundwater monitoring data as well as any other information from site visits and walkover inspections. This process allowed the development of a conceptual site model to identify potential source, pathway and receptor linkages.
The preliminary findings of the Phase 1 assessment identified potential pollutant linkages, these linkages were analysed using a qualitative risk evaluation procedure. This analysis indicated the risks to receptors (soil and groundwater) at the site range from very low, low and moderate/low given the site’s current use. These classifications indicate that there are no unacceptable risks to human health or the environment from the land at the site.
We have reviewed these findings and requested Angus Fire, and its consultants, undertake further groundwater investigations. This further assessment will address any potential uncertainty in the risk evaluation for potentially contaminated linkages that were identified as moderate/low. Once this work has been undertaken and the previous quantitative risk assessment has been updated, all results will be shared with us and we will continue to liaise with the company in the best interests of the local community.
Potential health issues associated with PFAS
There are many different PFAS compounds, some of which have been linked in research studies to health conditions including:
- increased cholesterol levels
- reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections and response to vaccines in children
- increased risk of some cancers, including kidney and testicular cancers
- interference with the body’s natural hormones, including reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women
- developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioural changes
However, many studies do not provide a robust level of evidence, and there are inconsistencies between different studies. Results from individual studies also cannot be applied across all PFAS compounds.
Research is ongoing nationally and internationally to provide more evidence on the health impacts. Find out more on the World Health Organization website.
Health impacts in Bentham
We currently do not have evidence of any health impacts of PFAS pollution from Angus Fire on the wider population. However, regulatory investigations are still ongoing, and updates from the investigations will be discussed with public health colleagues. If concerns are identified that could have had a significant impact on health, these will be appropriately managed.
In other sites internationally that have looked at environmental PFAS, one of the key issues for some sites has been continual exposure over many years of residents though contamination of local drinking water. There is no evidence of drinking water contamination in Bentham by PFAS from Angus Fire.
The mains water supply for Bentham comes from further afield, including reservoirs in West Yorkshire and Nidderdale. Yorkshire Water samples of mains drinking water have come back in the lowest category for PFAS. We have also sampled the private water supplies for properties in Bentham that are not on mains water; in all of the samples, all PFAS substances have been below detectable levels.
Reduce your risk from PFAS
While the full impact of PFAS on health is still being investigated, it remains sensible to take a precautionary approach to possible risks that may not yet be understood.
We may all encounter environmental hazards, including infectious diseases, chemicals and other agents, in day-to-day life. You can minimise any potential risk from PFAS or other environmental hazards by following standard preventative measures such as
- wash and peel vegetables to remove soil and other contaminants such as bacteria
- cover cuts and grazes while swimming in rivers or other open water sources
- avoid ingesting water while swimming in rivers or other open water sources
- attend routine health screenings (when offered), including health checks and cancer screening
- keep up to date with routine and seasonal immunisations
If you have any medical symptoms you are concerned about, get them checked out by an appropriate health professional.