Michael Sheen investigates 'forever chemical' dumping in Wales for new BBC series

Actor Michael Sheen is investigating alleged toxic chemical contamination in his native Wales for a new BBC documentary series titled "Buried with Michael Sheen." The unscripted series will explore claims of decades of exposure to industrial chemicals and what the BBC describes as a "scandal that threatens to leave a catastrophic legacy across the UK."

What Happened

The documentary follows Sheen as he delves into allegations made by farming consultant and whistleblower Douglas Gowan. Gowan claimed that people in Wales have been poisoned by long-term exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). He alleged that thousands of tonnes of these industrial chemicals were dumped across Wales and northwest England. According to the report, Gowan spent over 50 years attempting to raise awareness about the dangers of this chemical dumping. Sheen met with Gowan and filmed an interview with him approximately two months before Gowan's death. Gowan reportedly claimed that Monsanto, a leading PCB producer, knowingly buried highly toxic waste in Welsh communities.

Key Facts

• Actor Michael Sheen is the subject of a new two-part documentary series called "Buried with Michael Sheen."
• The series investigates claims of toxic chemical contamination in Wales.
• Farming consultant Douglas Gowan alleged that people in Wales were poisoned by decades of exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).
• Gowan claimed thousands of tonnes of PCBs were dumped across Wales and northwest England.
• PCBs, known as "forever chemicals," were widely used in the 1960s for their resistance to breakdown but are now designated as a Group 1 carcinogen and are banned globally.
• Douglas Gowan reportedly spent over 50 years trying to warn about the dangers of chemical dumping.
• Michael Sheen interviewed Douglas Gowan over two days before Gowan's death, which occurred approximately two months after the interview.
• Gowan reportedly accused Monsanto, a leading PCB producer, of knowingly burying highly toxic waste in communities across Wales.
• The documentary follows Michael Sheen, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor, environmental experts, forensic scientists, and residents living near toxic dump sites.
• "Buried with Michael Sheen" is a co-commission for BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and BBC iPlayer, produced in partnership with the Open University and co-produced by Wall to Wall and Smoke Trail Productions.

Background

PCBs were once considered a "wonder chemical" in the 1960s due to their durability. However, their inability to break down easily has led to their current designation as a Group 1 carcinogen, and they are now banned worldwide. The documentary aims to retrace Douglas Gowan's footsteps, exploring allegations of conspiracy and cover-ups related to the dumping of these chemicals.