Residents living close to a local lagoon, which has been described as “a shame on Britain,” are demanding health tests to check for exposure to cancer‑causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The call for testing comes from a community that has long worried about the water and soil around the lagoon. Local residents say that the chemical contamination could pose a serious risk to their children and other vulnerable groups.
PCBs are industrial chemicals that were widely used in electrical equipment and other products before being banned in the 1970s. They are known to be persistent in the environment and have been linked to a range of health problems, including certain cancers.
Community leaders are urging local authorities to conduct comprehensive testing of the lagoon’s water, surrounding soil, and nearby food sources. They also seek guidance on how to reduce potential exposure while investigations are underway.
<small>Source: BBC Science — read the original story there.</small>
