American agrochemical and biotech firm; beacon of controversy over Roundup and GM crops
Michael Sheen’s two-part BBC/Independent documentary investigates claims that polychlorinated biphenyls were dumped across Wales and nearby England. The programme finds residents near waste sites with elevated PCB levels and several cancer cases, prompting renewed calls for accountability from authorities and polluters.
BBC reports that actor Michael Sheen has pressed MPs to back a national PCB testing and cleanup programme after tests showed elevated contamination at sites linked to Monsanto. The Welsh government calls contaminated land a key priority, amid questions over who should fund testing and cleanup. The Welsh Affairs Committee is also hearing from researchers and journalists who documented findings.
Residents near the AGC Chemicals site in Thornton-Cleveleys have shown elevated PFAS levels, especially PFOA, in blood tests. Authorities warn that tests cannot predict individual health outcomes, while calls for more research and clearer guidance intensify as investigations continue.