Michael Sheen's new documentary reveals the shocking impact of PCBs in Wales, with residents suffering from rare cancers and high levels of contamination.
Michael Sheen, the acclaimed Welsh actor, has recently delved into a disturbing chapter of his homeland’s history. His documentary, Buried explores the legacy of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) a group of man-made chemicals that were widely used in the 20th century before being banned due to their harmful effects on human health and the environment.
The documentary, which premiered on the BBC, takes Sheen on a journey through parts of Wales and the north-west of England where these dangerous chemicals were dumped in the 1970s. Sheen, who was born in Newport and raised in South Wales, agreed to have his own PCB levels tested as part of the documentary, only to discover that he too had been exposed to these forever chemicals.
The Shocking Discovery of PCB Contamination
During the filming of Buried Sheen visited areas where PCBs were dumped, including a lagoon near Ruabon in Wrexham. The chemicals, which were once used in everything from plastics to electrical equipment, were found to be present in alarmingly high levels in the soil.
Sheen’s blood tests revealed the presence of 81 different types of PCBs, despite him not having lived near any dump sites.
The documentary also highlights the stories of residents who have suffered from rare cancers and other health issues, which they believe are linked to the PCB contamination. Michael Phillips, who spent his childhood playing near the lagoon, developed a rare form of cancer that his surgeon had never seen before. Several of Phillips’ friends have also been affected by similar health issues.
The Legacy of PCB Dumping
The documentary traces the history of PCB dumping back to the 1970s when companies like Monsanto and Eastman Chemical Company disposed of tens of thousands of tons of these chemicals in various locations. The lack of regulation at the time allowed these companies to dump the chemicals with impunity, leading to widespread contamination.
Researcher and whistleblower Douglas Gowan spent half a century trying to raise awareness about the contamination. He alleged that Monsanto had dumped huge amounts of industrial chemicals around Wales, including PCBs, which he described as some of the worst contaminants known to man. Gowan’s efforts were largely ignored during his lifetime, but his work has now been continued by Sheen and his team.
The Fight for Justice and Accountability
Sheen’s documentary has sparked a call for action, with residents and activists demanding that the companies responsible for the contamination be held accountable. Sheen himself has called for official tests to be conducted at the many sites where PCBs were dumped, hoping that the public will be outraged enough to demand change.
The documentary also explores the legal battles that have taken place in the US, where the town of Anniston, Alabama, sued Monsanto for chemical contamination. The lawsuit was settled for $300 million, but the fight for justice continues in Wales. Sheen and his team have taken their findings to the Welsh Parliament, hoping that more tests can be conducted and that the companies responsible can be made to remediate the sites.
As Sheen puts it, there is something out there in the forest, there is something in our bodies that can turn against us and tear us apart, but it’s not like it is in the horror films. It’s invisible. It’s a silent killer.
