Michael Sheen Calls for National Testing After Documentary Exposes PCB Dumping in Wales

Actor Michael Sheen appeared before the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster to discuss the BBC two-part series *Buried with Michael Sheen*. He said he had invited First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth to view the programme before its broadcast, but the offer was not taken up. Sheen urged MPs to back a national testing programme for historic toxic dumps, citing high PCB levels found in soil samples and in the blood of volunteers, including himself. A committee MP noted uncertainty over whether testing responsibility lies with the Welsh or UK government.

BBC News

The documentary investigated whistle-blower Douglas Gowan’s claim that thousands of tonnes of PCBs were dumped at sites across Wales and north-west England. Monsanto’s former plant in Acrefair and Eastman Chemical Company were identified as legacy producers. The series highlighted the Llwyneinion Acid Tar Lagoon in Wrexham, where an estimated 1,100 barrels of waste were deposited.

Wrexham Leader

• Soil sampling at 14 locations revealed above-average PCB levels at 13 sites; samples came from public footpaths, woodlands, sports fields or roads.

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

• Blood testing of the documentary team showed each participant carried roughly 80 PCB congeners; Sheen reported 82 distinct PCBs in his own blood.

South Wales Argus

• Testing of supermarket fish identified a specimen exceeding legal PCB limits.

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

• Internal Wrexham Council paperwork indicated the preferred remediation option for the lagoon would cost £40 million, with fencing and monitoring offered only as a fallback.

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

A Welsh Government spokesman said contaminated land is a “key priority” and that the First Minister has thanked Sheen for highlighting the issue. Officials are working to arrange a meeting between the First Minister and Sheen “as soon as possible” and intend to strengthen the “polluter pays” principle while seeking Treasury funding for remediation and clean-up.

South Wales Argus

Investigative journalist Dan Ashby, testifying before the committee, described the lagoon as “a shame on Britain” and argued that councils fearing unaffordable remediation may avoid decisive judgments, leaving communities exposed.

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

• “If you look at the internal paperwork, when Wrexham Council assessed that lagoon, the advice was the first choice was clean it up. It will cost 40 million pounds. The second option was if you haven’t got the money, then put a fence around it, and just monitor it. But that was only if you haven’t got the money.” — Dan Ashby

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

Committee testimony revealed a lack of clarity over which authority must fund and conduct testing.

Llwyneinion lagoon ‘a shame on Britain’, journalist tells MPs as Michael Sheen gives evidence

The Welsh Affairs Select Committee is scheduled to hear further evidence from Sheen on Thursday, September 10, when he will again address the documentary’s findings and potential policy changes. The Welsh Government has indicated it will meet with Sheen shortly after that date to discuss remediation strategies and funding mechanisms.

The Independent