'Now I'm worried'- Thornton locals react to ICI cancer news
“I said this would be the case many years ago. I thought it was madness allowing residential properties to be built on that land, and it’s still happening.”
Thornton’s residents have had their say following the concerning news which emerged from the former ICI Chemicals Factory earlier this week.
Blood tests carried out on residents in Thornton have proved two thirds of those tested have ‘high levels’ of cancer causing toxins in their systems, thought to be caused by chemical PFOA. PFOA was used in manufacturing processes at the ICI Chemicals factory until 2013.
Thornton’s residents have now spoken out following the disturbing news. Andrea Mealor said: “I said this would be the case many years ago. I thought it was madness allowing residential properties to be built on that land, and it’s still happening.
Concerned Thornton resident Ian King added: “We live on the pheasant wood estate about 1.5km from the plant… I wasn't concerned before, but now I’m worried about not only health effects but the effect it will have on property prices! And the old plant was long gone before we moved here in 2023.”
Glenda Horsfall explained: “When we first moved to Thornton in 1981 we were told houses couldn't be built any closer than Pheasants Wood, yet now they have built right up to Fleetwood Rd and across onto old ICI land.
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I remember looking at the new estate off Burn Naze 20 plus years ago and a friend who worked at ICI advised against it because of chemicals in the ground. My first husband died of bowel cancer at the age of 47, my son turned type 1 diabetic at the age of 2.
“12 months after we moved to Thornton, neighbours on both sides of us also developed type 1 diabetes within 2 years of moving to the area. I always blamed ICI but was told it was just a coincidence. I think a lot more will come out in the future, unfortunately.”