A recent BBC investigation has revealed that a staggering nine out of ten high-risk toxic sites in the UK remain unchecked due to insufficient funding, raising significant health concerns for local communities.

Local resident Robin Morris has highlighted the dangers of this inaction after discovering dangerously high levels of lead in his garden soil, suggesting potential contamination from nearby abandoned metal mines.

The urgency of the situation is further underscored by cases of lead poisoning among children, such as that of Manon Chiswell, which emphasize the critical need for thorough inspections and public health safeguards.

In response to these alarming findings, campaigners are advocating for 'Zane's Law', which aims to establish public registers of contaminated sites and secure additional funding for necessary inspections.

Local councils have reported that financial constraints have severely limited their ability to conduct essential checks on contaminated land, with many opting not to search for sites to avoid potential liability.

While the UK government acknowledges the serious risks posed by contaminated land, it stresses that local authorities require adequate funding to fulfill their statutory obligations.

Dr. Ian Mudway, an expert on pollution, has criticized the lack of economic evaluation regarding the health costs associated with contaminated land, highlighting a gap in policy and action.

High-risk sites are known to potentially contain harmful substances like lead and arsenic, which pose significant health risks to residents living nearby.

Out of 13,093 potentially toxic sites identified, only 1,465 have been inspected by councils, despite their legal duty to conduct these inspections.

In Wales alone, there are 698 identified high-risk sites, with over 586 yet to be inspected, reflecting a troubling trend of inaction across the UK.

This investigation coincides with the launch of the Netflix drama 'Toxic Town', which sheds light on real-life environmental issues and the consequences of neglecting toxic sites.