Sefton Council and the Environmental Protection Group carried out indoor air quality testing in 12 properties around the former Johnson’s site in summer 2026.
The testing was to find out whether 4 chemicals historically used within dry cleaning processes were affecting the air inside nearby homes.
What we found?
The completed tests found no evidence that indoor air quality in any of the properties was significantly affected by chemicals from the site.
The tests found very low levels of up to 3 chemicals present in 11 out of the 12 properties tested. No vinyl chloride was identified in any of the tests.
All results are well below recognised health-based guidelines for short and long-term health effects. There is no current risk to residents' health.
Monitoring of outside air within the streets was also completed and no chemicals were found.
The individual results for the 12 properties that took part in testing have been shared with their occupants separately.
A technical report with more detail about the results of the testing is currently being prepared by the Environmental Protection Group and will be published here once available.
What will happen next?
The testing was carried out during the summer when homes are typically more ventilated because windows and doors are opened more frequently. These conditions generally reduce the potential for vapours to build up indoors.
Sefton Council intends to carry out further testing during the winter months to provide additional assurance for residents. This is being planned for early 2027 and more information about this will be provided nearer the time.
If you have not yet taken part in testing and would like to next time, please contact us using the details below.
Additional support
If you require any further information and/or have questions about the results of the monitoring, please phone 0345 140 0845 and press number 9 or email johnsonstesting@sefton.gov.uk