Michael Sheen Investigates Wales' Toxic Legacy in New BBC Documentary
Actor Michael Sheen delves into the hazardous legacy of industrial chemical disposal in Wales in a BBC iPlayer documentary. His focus is on locations highlighted by the late researcher Douglas Gowan, who claimed that Monsanto had released significant quantities of industrial chemicals, including PCBs, throughout Wales. Gowan identified 14 sites, 12 of which are in Wales, before his passing. Sheen, who conversed with Gowan prior to his death, has pursued the investigation further. The film includes Michael Phillips, diagnosed with rare cancer after playing near a Wrexham lagoon, and reveals Sheen's blood tests that detected 81 types of PCBs. It also discusses a fire at Llwyneinion lagoon in the 1980s and associated cleanup expenses. "Buried with Michael Sheen" premieres on BBC Two and iPlayer on 17 August at 21:00 BST.
Key facts
- Michael Sheen investigates Wales' toxic legacy in a new BBC iPlayer documentary.
- Researcher Douglas Gowan alleged Monsanto dumped industrial chemicals, including PCBs, across Wales.
- Gowan identified 14 sites of concern, 12 in Wales, and died before his warnings were heeded.
- Michael Phillips, who played at a lagoon near Ruabon as a child, developed rare cancer and has higher-than-average PCB levels.
- Sheen's blood test revealed 81 different types of PCBs.
- A 1980s fire at Llwyneinion lagoon took 60 firefighters over 18 hours to control, with effects felt up to 20 miles away.
- Wrexham council said cleanup would cost £45 million and bankrupt the council, but later investigations found no legal requirement for remediation.
- In 1993, Anniston, Alabama sued Monsanto for chemical contamination, settling for $300 million.
- Monsanto increased PCB production at its Newport plant after shutting down Anniston due to legal risks.
- The documentary team will appear before the Welsh Affairs Committee.
- Friends of the Earth Cymru's Kirsty Luff called for a public inquiry.
- A 2015 survey identified over 9,000 potential contaminated sites in Wales.
- The documentary airs on 17 August at 21:00 BST on BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and BBC iPlayer.
Entities
Artists
- Michael Sheen
- Michael Phillips
- Douglas Gowan
- Donald Stewart
- Dan Ashby
- Lucy Taylor
- Kirsty Luff
- Dave Megson
- Paul Pemberton
Institutions
- BBC
- Monsanto
- Eastman Chemical Company
- Wrexham Council
- Welsh Affairs Committee
- Friends of the Earth Cymru
- Natural Resources Wales
- Welsh government
Locations
- Wales
- United Kingdom
- Llwyneinion
- Ruabon
- Wrexham
- Newport
- Anniston
- Alabama
- United States