Michael Sheen Hails 'Constructive' Meeting With First Minister Over Toxic Dumping Claims

Hollywood actor Michael Sheen described his meeting with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth regarding toxic dumping claims as "constructive." The discussion focused on how to address the issues raised in Sheen's BBC documentary, "Buried with Michael Sheen," which explores the dumping of toxic chemicals at 14 sites in Wales and England. Sheen stated that while it is "early days," the meeting was "really encouraging."

Initially, Sheen had indicated that an offer to meet with the first minister was not accepted before the documentary's broadcast in August. Speaking via Instagram after the recent meeting, he shared, "I've just come from a meeting with the first minister. Talking about how we can move forward and address all the issues that Buried [the documentary] raised around the toxic dumping, and that was really constructive."

Last week, Sheen addressed the UK Parliament, urging MPs to support a national testing program for historical toxic dump sites. This call followed the discovery of high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a cancer-causing chemical, in soil samples and in the blood of individuals living near sites associated with the chemical giant Monsanto. The documentary featured interviews with Douglas Gowan, a farming consultant and campaigner who had warned for decades about the risks posed by toxic chemicals in communities.

Following Gowan's death, Sheen collaborated with investigative journalists Lucy Taylor and Dan Ashby, who had inherited his research. Together, they initiated testing at 14 suspected Monsanto dumping sites in Wales and northwest England. Elevated levels of PCBs were reportedly found at all but one of these locations.

The documentary also highlighted the concerns of Susan Smith, who previously worked at Monsanto's Wrexham facility. Smith and her husband Geraint have lived for 53 years in a home adjacent to the decommissioned chemical works. Geraint was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago, later developing skin cancer, while Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38. While they acknowledge they cannot definitively link their health issues to Monsanto, the documentary has prompted them to question the potential impact of the factory. Susan recalled working in an office where dust and powders were prevalent due to constant transfer of documents, without receiving any safety briefings or protective clothing. She has since had her blood tested, and although her PCB levels were not deemed high, she expressed concern about the absence of a safe PCB level and the lack of accountability from Eastman, the US company that now owns the former Monsanto site. The couple has joined the Monsanto Contamination Action Group, an organization formed for individuals in Wrexham affected by historic industrial waste dumping. Eastman was contacted for comment.