Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Michael Sheen Probe Links Welsh PCB Pollution to Anniston

8/17/2026

50 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

BBC Two aired “Buried With Michael Sheen” at 9 pm on 2026-08-17.
Sheen investigated PCB contamination in Welsh towns, linked it to Anniston, Alabama, and highlighted the chemical’s decades-long presence and health risks.
Critic Simon Wardell says the 1998 romantic comedy set in 1985, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, has a bittersweet tone that distinguishes it from Sandler’s usual physical comedy.

History

Historical Context

In 1978 President Jimmy Carter declared a federal health emergency at Love Canal, prompting the evacuation of roughly 800 families and leading to the 1980 passage of the Superfund law that funds hazardous-site cleanups. The program’s legacy underpins the EPA’s ongoing remediation efforts, which the 2026 BBC Two documentary hosted by Michael Sheen cites while exposing PCB contamination in Welsh towns linked to Anniston, Alabama.

1 of 2

Story summary

BBC Two aired “Buried With Michael Sheen” at 9 pm on 2026-08-17.
Sheen investigated PCB contamination in Welsh towns, linked it to Anniston, Alabama, and highlighted the chemical’s decades-long presence and health risks.
Critic Simon Wardell says the 1998 romantic comedy set in 1985, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, has a bittersweet tone that distinguishes it from Sandler’s usual physical comedy.

1 / 2