Michael Sheen has welcomed the public response to his documentary investigating Wales’ toxic waste legacy and the Monsanto polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dumping scandal, saying he hopes it will encourage authorities to find a lasting solution.
Dozens of people contacted BBC Wales after Sheen’s investigation into chemical company Monsanto and the history of PCB dumping in Wales.
Among those who came forward was a former Monsanto employee who spent three years helping to contain toxic waste underground. The worker said staff were given “cheap” protective equipment and were not informed about the materials they were burying.
Eastman Chemical Company, which is responsible for Monsanto’s former UK manufacturing operations, did not respond to requests for comment from Sheen’s team or the BBC.
Speaking about the reaction to the documentary, Sheen said he wanted to see meaningful action taken over the toxic waste issue.
“Getting a response was a really important part of this issue, and we hoped it would encourage people in positions of authority to address it,” he said.
Sheen said he had received “extraordinary messages” from people who wanted to share their experiences and explain how the toxic waste had affected their lives.
“There are a lot of things we need to follow up on,” he said.
He also hoped people in the public eye would respond to the documentary and work with his team to address the concerns raised.
“We really want to find a solution to this problem, rather than continue putting people in a position where they have to take time away because they cannot afford to remain involved,” Sheen said.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk