Recent reporting by The Guardian has highlighted elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood of residents living in Bentham, North Yorkshire. PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence, are used in a range of industrial applications, including firefighting foams.
The findings follow earlier investigations that identified high PFAS concentrations in groundwater near a facility historically involved in the production of PFAS-containing foams. Subsequent blood testing of residents and former workers suggests that exposure may extend beyond occupational settings. Approximately more than one fourth of those tested had PFAS levels within ranges associated with increased health risk based on guidance from the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, with the highest recorded level exceeding the regulatory value by 200 times.
Elevated levels were also observed in individuals without direct links to the site, indicating that environmental exposure may occur through contaminated water, soil, locally grown food, or potentially airborne emissions linked to historical fire-testing activities. PFAS exposure has been associated with a range of health outcomes, including certain cancers and reproductive effects, although the relationship between blood concentrations and health risk remains uncertain.
There are currently no established guidelines in the UK defining safe PFAS levels in blood. These findings therefore highlight ongoing challenges in assessing community exposure and underline the need for further research and monitoring.
Neill, P. (2026). People in North Yorkshire town found to have ‘alarming’ levels of toxic Pfas chemicals in blood. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/20/bentham-north-yorkshire-pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals-blood
