Residents are planning to take legal action against a large factory claimed to have contaminated water with ‘forever plastics’.
The small town of Bentham was recently named as the UK’s most PFAS polluted place in the UK by ENDS report.
PFAS, short for ‘per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’, don't easily break down in the environment or in our bodies.
The chemicals are found in everyday items and find their way into water sources, food and even the air that we breathe.
Cleaner Bentham, a group of concerned residents and business owners from Bentham, has now instructed law firm Mishcon de Reya.
Campaigners believe the extremely high pollution levels are linked to a large factory where firefighting products, such as firefighting foams, are produced.
Angus International Safety Group (Angus Fire) has operated in the town for many decades - making products which have historically been known to include PFAS.
PFAS chemicals are especially commonplace in firefighting foams.
Mat Young, the chair of Cleaner Bentham, said: “We are all worried about the effect this might have on not only our families' health but the health of anyone else affected by the pollution down the River Wenning, into the Lune and beyond.”
A spokesperson for the factory said the business recognises “the concerns about potential environmental impacts from historic operations at our facility”.
Further investigations are now taking place, the spokesperson added.
Angus Fire has repeatedly breached its environmental permits in the last 10 years, campaigners alleged.
When tested in 2008, groundwater at Angus Fire's site was shown to have total PFAS levels of 1,199,000 nanograms per litre (ng/l).
This included 36,100 ng/l of PFOS - 55,538 times higher than the government’s environmental quality standard for PFOS of 0.65ng/l.
Testing carried out in 2024 also shows PFAS contamination in both water and soil surrounding the site.
Emily Nicholson, partner at Mishcon de Reya, said: "PFAS cases have made huge waves in the US, but this would be the first time such a case has been brought here in the UK.”
The threat of legal action comes after the group secured commitment from one university to carry out initial blood testing for potentially impacted residents in Bentham.
Two other universities are also expected to undertake additional tests of the environment.
A spokesperson for Angus Fire said the firm is carrying out further investigations of its own to understand the extent of any PFAS contamination and what remediation may be needed.
The spokesperson said: “We recognise the concerns about potential environmental impacts from historic operations at our facility and regret the inconvenience and worry that this has caused.
“We are aware of the statement issued by Mishcon, but we have not received notice of any legal action.
“Meanwhile, Angus continues to work closely with independent industry-leading environmental consultants and in cooperation with our UK regulator, the Environment Agency, to better characterise the Bentham site and surrounding areas.”
If you are a Bentham resident and concerned that you might be impacted, or live in the area, contact PFASBentham@Mishcon.com
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