Nearly two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy which killed 72 people on June 14, 2017, locals are still being impacted. Analysis of soil, debris and char samples of insulation boards from the tower revealed increased levels of cancer-causing chemicals and carcinogens such as benzene were present in a 200 metre radius of the tower. Experts at the University of Central Lancashire discovered soils in the area had contaminated cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Soil within 140 metres of the disaster contained six different PAHs and concentration levels were a staggering 160 times higher than soil samples in other urban areas.
Benzene, which is an industrial chemical used to make plastics, was found to be 40 times more concentrated than usual.
Isocyanates – a respiratory sensitiser which can cause asthma after just one exposure – was discovered 160 metres away inside residents’ flats.
The experts stated in a research paper: “These substances were discovered in quantities that could indicate that they resulted from the burning of specific materials which were used in the 2016 refurbishment of Grenfell Tower.”
Scientists who led the study now call on urgent action for the safety of residents in the West London area and for emergency services who attended the scene.
Professor Anna Stec, professor in fire chemistry and toxicity at the University of Central Lancashire and lead author of the study, said: “Fires release a rich cocktail of pollutants, many of them acutely or chronically toxic.
“There is an increased risk of a number of health problems to those in the local area, from asthma to cancer.
“There is undoubtedly evidence of contamination in the area surrounding the tower, which highlights the need for further in-depth, independent analysis to quantify any risks to residents.
“It is now crucial to put in place long-term health screening to assess any long-term adverse health effects of the fire on local residents, emergency responders and clean-up workers.
“This will also provide a future readiness for dealing with any further such disasters.”
Natasha Elcock, chairwoman of Grenfell United, said the findings were “alarming and hugely upsetting to read”.
She said: “Twenty-one months after the fire the government has yet to carry out a single soil test or offer a proper health screening programme to the community.
“When this report first came to light in October last year, it was left to the bereaved and survivors of Grenfell to fight for government and professional experts to meet with our community.
“Testing in the community must start immediately and by immediately, we mean yesterday.”
A spokesman for Public Health England said: “We take Professor Stec’s findings extremely seriously and fully appreciate the ongoing health concerns.
“We have established a comprehensive programme of environmental checks to fully assess the risks and take appropriate action.
“Professor Stec is part of an independent group of scientists overseeing this work and her findings will inform the checks we are conducting.”