Report: PFAS at Former RAF Upper Heyford Worst in the UK

Chemical contamination at the former RAF Upper Heyford, earmarked for 9,000 homes, is the worst found in the UK, according to a report. Testing carried out for a developer found "unacceptable" levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called forever chemicals.

The author of the report said the levels were higher than at the Yorkshire village of Bentham, which had been "determined as having the highest level of PFAS in the UK". The results were uploaded to Cherwell District Council's website as part of a planning application.

About 1,300 homes have already been built on the site. Paul Silver, chief executive of the developer Dorchester Living, said separate soil samples from residential areas showed the area was "safe for use". He said the levels found were "significantly lower than we had expected given its historic use".

The fire practice pond

The Environment Agency said military sites and airports are hotspots for PFAS, which were used extensively in firefighting foams for decades. At Upper Heyford, firefighters practised putting out a burning aeroplane above a "pond" of fuel. That training area was found to be "the most significant ongoing source of PFAS contamination identified", a few hundred metres north of existing homes.

A second report on ground and surface water found contamination was "widespread" across the site, with every sample exceeding environmental standards. Subsequent independent testing by Gallos Brook Environmental Group found elevated levels in more than a dozen streams flowing from beneath the base.

Results from a planned primary school site also showed PFAS above safe levels under environmental quality standards. Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said people need confidence that it will be a safe environment for children.

Residents and next steps

Some residents would like blood tests to find out whether they have been exposed. Leigh Radwell, who has lived nearby for 16 years, said she was concerned for her health after eating vegetables from her garden, which borders a stream suspected to be polluted. Helen Christie of Gallos Brook said the results confirmed that the site is contaminated, and that testing so far has been "inadequate".

Dorchester Living said the contamination could be managed through phased remediation. An outline strategy for further investigation has been submitted with the planning application. The results of the further tests have not been made public.

The council had previously asked the government for support, and a working group has been set up with the developer and the Environment Agency.

Source: BBC News