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Vicar Tackles Toxic Waste Cover-Up
15 Aug
Summary
- Vicar Paul Cawthorne investigated toxic waste for two decades.
- A BBC documentary features his investigation into dumping sites.
- Elevated levels of toxic chemicals found at multiple dump sites.
A Shropshire vicar, Paul Cawthorne, has been instrumental in a new BBC documentary exploring toxic waste sites, led by Welsh actor Michael Sheen. Cawthorne, an environmental campaigner for two decades, focused his investigation on the former Monsanto landfill at Stoney Hill in Telford. This site legally received waste from the chemical giant in the mid to late 1980s.
His extensive research uncovered dangerously elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, persistent toxic chemicals, at nine out of ten investigated locations. Cawthorne has urged Telford and Wrekin Council, the current owners, to conduct a comprehensive new investigation into the Stoney Hill site. The council maintains that records show no evidence of toxic materials being tipped there and that regular testing has not identified any cause for concern.
The documentary, "Buried with Michael Sheen," premiered on BBC Two, BBC One Wales, and BBC iPlayer on Monday, August 17th. Cawthorne's work highlights historical dumping practices and the ongoing need for environmental scrutiny.
