Blood Tests Reveal Alarming PFAS Levels in UK Residents
Dozens of residents in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, have been found with "really high levels" of a cancer-causing forever chemical in their blood, according to BBC News. The substance, PFOA, is a type of PFAS linked to serious health conditions. The contamination likely originated from the nearby AGC Chemicals factory, which used PFOA until 2012. Sam Hammond, a local resident, told the BBC she was shocked by her son's result: "It was like, my God, that is ridiculously off the scale." The UK Health Security Agency does not currently recommend PFAS monitoring, but independent tests were offered by Manchester Metropolitan University and paid for by investigative journalists.
PFOA has been banned in the UK since 2020 after the World Health Organization classified it as a Group 1 carcinogen. The Environment Agency and Wyre Council have been testing the area since 2024, finding elevated PFOA in soil, eggs, and vegetables. Two allotment sites have been closed, and residents within 1km of the factory have been advised to peel homegrown produce. The investigation concluded the chemical was likely carried through the air from the factory.
AI Boom Fuels PFAS Production for Data Center Cooling
As the world grapples with legacy contamination, a new report from chemical watchdog ChemSec reveals that the AI boom is driving increased PFAS production. Data centers are swapping water for fluorinated chemicals, including PFAS, to cool heat-generating equipment. Major chemical producers—including Daikin, Arkema, and Chemours—are expanding capacity to meet demand from data center cooling, semiconductor manufacturing, and lithium-ion batteries.
This trend comes amid growing backlash against data centers over water usage. The shift to PFAS-based cooling creates a catch-22: while it reduces water consumption, it introduces persistent pollutants. According to ChemSec, the world's biggest PFAS makers earned roughly $4 billion in profit in 2022, against an estimated $17.5 trillion in annual societal costs for healthcare, cleanup, and contaminated water. The midterms are six weeks away, and politicians are walking a fine line between opposing data center growth and supporting the president's pro-AI agenda.
Chemours Accused of Violating Consent Order in North Carolina
In the US, Chemours is facing renewed scrutiny for allegedly leaking PFAS into the Cape Fear River at levels exceeding a 2019 consent order with North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) says the company's own sampling data shows ongoing violations. "We demand that N.C. DEQ use its authority to hold Chemours accountable," said Kemp Burdette of Cape Fear River Watch.
Chemours spokesperson Jess Loizeaux denied the allegations, stating the company has implemented advanced emissions controls and water treatment systems. PFAS exposure has been linked to higher cancer rates, lower fertility, and weakened immune systems. Chemours knowingly dumped PFAS into the river for decades, as revealed in 2017. The state has pursued litigation to make the company pay for damage to drinking water systems.
The Broader Implications: A Growing Global Crisis
The converging stories from the UK, US, and the tech industry highlight a deepening global crisis. PFAS, or forever chemicals, do not break down easily and can remain in the environment for thousands of years. They are found in thousands of everyday products, from clothing to cookware. The health impacts are becoming increasingly clear, yet regulatory responses vary widely.
In the UK, the Environment Agency continues to investigate contaminated sites, but blood testing is not routinely recommended. In the US, states like North Carolina are fighting legal battles to hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the AI revolution is creating new demand for PFAS, potentially undoing years of regulatory progress. As data centers proliferate, the need for cooling solutions that do not rely on persistent pollutants becomes urgent. Without stronger oversight, the legacy of forever chemicals may only grow, affecting more communities and ecosystems worldwide.
As the midterms approach, the data center backlash could become a political flashpoint. Republicans are balancing constituent concerns with the president's advocacy for AI infrastructure. The outcome may shape not only the future of AI but also the environmental health of communities near chemical plants and data centers. For residents like Sam Hammond, the hope is that their stories prompt action before more people are exposed.
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