Former Monsanto worker fears Wrexham factory may have affected her family’s health

Susan Smith says a documentary about pollution at the decommissioned Ruabon chemical factory replaced her happy memories of working at Monsanto with fear.

Family lived beside the former Monsanto site for 53 years

A thin tree line separates Susan and her husband Geraint’s home from the decommissioned Ruabon chemical factory, where they have lived for 53 years.

Geraint was diagnosed with prostate cancer 13 years ago and recently developed skin cancer. Susan developed breast cancer at the age of 38.

The couple say they do not know whether Monsanto was responsible, but the documentary made them question the possible impact of the factory on their family’s health.

‘Dust and powder’ covered office desks and food

Susan began working at the factory as a secretary at the age of 19. She worked there for four years, later returning once on a temporary basis and again to overhaul a failing system.

She said most of her time was spent in the Terex office next to the warehouse.

“We would send invoices, instructions, requests, etc. on little ticker tapes through machines to other Monsanto offices,” she said.

Susan said a small glass hatch allowed instructions to pass through the office, but it was never closed because people were constantly using it.

“As a result, dust and powder and all kinds of dust would blow through and cover the desk, the papers, and even the sandwiches.”

She said she received no “safety briefings, protective gear, etc.” and that office staff had no idea they could be at risk.

Questions over PCB exposure

Susan had her blood tested by the documentary team. The results determined that PCB levels in her blood were not high.

However, she said the claim that there are no safe PCB levels, along with what she described as a lack of accountability from Eastman, had left her with unanswered questions. Eastman is the US company that now owns the former Monsanto Company.

Couple joins pollution action group

Susan and Geraint joined the Monsanto Pollution Action Group, which was established for people in Wrexham living in areas affected by historic industrial waste dumps.

Mr Eastman has been contacted for comment.

Additional reporting: Alec Doyle, LDRS Reporter