Key facts
- Michael Sheen investigates alleged toxic chemical dumping in Wales by Monsanto in a new documentary.
- Whistleblower Douglas Gowan warned about 12 contaminated sites in Wales, including lagoons with PCBs.
- Locals who played at a lagoon as children have developed rare cancers, with blood tests showing high PCB levels.
- Monsanto was aware of PCB toxicity as early as 1949 and faced a large lawsuit in Anniston, Alabama.
- Internal documents suggest Monsanto increased production in Wales due to lower legal risks in the US.
- Wrexham council stated a contaminated site did not meet the legal threshold for remediation, despite scientists finding cyanide, arsenic, and PCBs.
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen is investigating the alleged toxic legacy of chemical dumping in Wales in a new BBC iPlayer documentary. The film focuses on the concerns raised by whistleblower Douglas Gowan, a former farming consultant who alleged that chemical giant Monsanto dumped "huge amounts of industrial chemicals" in Wales, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Gowan described PCBs as "some of the worst contaminants known to man" and "the godfather of forever chemicals." He attempted to alert authorities about 14 contaminated sites, 12 of which were in Wales, but died before his warnings were fully heeded. Sheen spoke to Gowan months before his death and has continued the investigation.
The documentary highlights the experiences of Michael Phillips, who spent his childhood playing at a lagoon in the 1980s. Decades later, Phillips and several friends developed rare cancers, which they believe are linked to the toxic chemicals. Phillips' blood tests revealed higher-than-average PCB levels, and he has lost friends to cancer. Sheen also had his blood tested, revealing 81 different types of PCBs, despite not living near dump sites.
Archive footage shows a fire at a lagoon in Llwyneinion, Wrexham, in the 1980s, with effects reportedly felt up to 20 miles away. Scientists found cyanide, arsenic, and PCBs at the site, with cleanup estimated to cost £45 million, a sum that would bankrupt the local council. Wrexham council, however, stated that later assessments concluded the site did not meet the legal threshold requiring remediation.
Internal Monsanto documents revealed the company was aware of PCB toxicity as early as 1949. The company faced a major lawsuit in Anniston, Alabama, which was settled for $300 million. Journalists assisting Sheen discovered memos suggesting Monsanto planned to increase PCB production in Newport, Wales, due to lower legal risks in America, with the UK government reportedly imposing no restrictions on PCB imports.
Gowan suggested that such sites might have been chosen in areas where chronic health issues could be masked by pre-existing health problems associated with industrial areas. Sheen and his team have presented their findings to the Welsh Parliament, calling for further testing and action.