Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has stated that his discussions with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth regarding allegations of toxic dumping were “constructive” and encouraging. The meeting addresses the findings from the BBC documentary series *Buried with Michael Sheen*, which investigated chemical contamination at fourteen sites across Wales and northwest England.
Sheen initially revealed that an invitation to meet the First Minister prior to the documentary’s August broadcast had not been accepted. However, speaking on Instagram after the recent encounter, he emphasized that they were focusing on how to address the issues raised by the series. “I’ve just come from a meeting with the first minister… that was really constructive,” Sheen said. “So early days but that’s really encouraging.”
Following the documentary’s release, Sheen urged UK MPs to support a national testing programme for historic toxic dumps. This appeal came after high levels of PCBs, known cancer-causing chemicals, were detected in soil samples and in the blood of residents living near sites associated with the chemical giant Monsanto. To produce the investigation, Sheen collaborated with journalists Lucy Taylor and Dan Ashby, who possessed the research of campaigner Douglas Gowan, a farming consultant who died after spending decades warning communities about the risks.
The investigation team tested fourteen locations suspected of being used by Monsanto for PCB dumping, uncovering elevated chemical levels at all but one site. Sheen also appeared before the Welsh Affairs Committee alongside Taylor and Ashby to discuss the findings.
The documentary has deeply affected former employees of the Monsanto facility in Wrexham. Susan Smith, a former secretary, described how her positive memories of her time at the plant have been overshadowed by health concerns. She and her husband Geraint, who have lived near the decommissioned Ruabon chemical works for 53 years, both suffer from cancer. Geraint was diagnosed with prostate cancer thirteen years ago and later developed skin cancer, while Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38.
Smith recalled working in a telex office adjacent to a warehouse, where dust and powders frequently blew through an open hatch onto desks and personal items. She stated she received no safety briefing or protective equipment, and office staff were unaware of the potential dangers. After undergoing blood tests organized by the documentary team, Smith found her PCB levels were not classified as high, though she noted there is no safe level of exposure to the chemical.
The couple have since joined the Monsanto Contamination Action Group, an organization formed by residents in Wrexham communities impacted by historic industrial waste. Regarding the accountability of Eastman, the US company that currently owns the former Monsanto assets, Smith expressed frustration at the lack of answers. Eastman was contacted for comment regarding the allegations.
It’s shocking that office staff were exposed to dust without any safety gear. Thirty years later, people are still paying the price for corporate negligence.
Good to hear Sheen is engaging constructively. But action matters more than polite meetings. We need answers for the families affected.