Grenfell cancer fear as ‘huge’ levels of toxins found in soil

GRENFELL survivors and people living nearby must be screened for longterm health implications after “huge concentrations” of cancer-forming toxins were found in dust and soil.

Prof Anna Stec, who has been carrying out a range of tests from burnt debris that fell from the tower, found high levels of potential carcinogens and hydrogen cyanide in surrounding areas.

Prof Stec, who was an expert witness at the inquiry into the deaths of 72 people, has been briefing Public Health England (PHE), the Department of Health, police and Kensington and Chelsea council urging them to test survivors, rescue workers and nearby residents, The Guardian said. These include taking blood and saliva samples.

Health chiefs are understood to be waiting until her full results are published next year. PHE has been monitoring air quality near the tower.

Prof Stec, an expert in fire chemistry and toxicology at the University of Central Lancashire who has taken samples from up to a mile away, said: “I already have datasets that indicate a number of toxins that have not yet been measured by PHE. I think my research will show there are a number of added toxicants that need to be measured, but it’s important to emphasise that this work has not yet been completed.”

PHE said it was aware Prof Stec had carried out “some soil research” and that it would “take the results into consideration”.