There are more than 6,000 abandoned lead mines across the UK leaking hundreds of tons of metals into our rivers each year. With climate change causing an increase in flooding, contamination is likely to get worse. In this new investigation for BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates, Buried hosts Lucy Taylor and Dan Ashby ask whether this lead is ending up in our food chain, water system and blood.

To hear the programme in full, just search for File on 4 Investigates: Rivers of Lead on BBC Sounds now.

A Bite Your Tongue production for BBC Radio 4

Two years on from their award-winning Buried series about British waste crime, investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor return to Mobuoy in Northern Ireland, where more than one million tonnes of recycling and waste was illegally dumped.

Inundated with new leads and information, they decide to follow secret waste trackers hidden in councils' recycling today. The devices lead them to startling revelations about the scale of problems in recycling. Worse still, a police file reveals suspicions that waste criminals flourished thanks to corruption.

Written and produced by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

In a finale of discoveries, Dan and Lucy speak to Douglas's best friend and finally learn the truth about his stories.

They are moved to test their own blood for PCBs. When Douglas talked about 'the children... and the children's children...' Do you get it now?

At Douglas’s grave, the 'apex stone' is revealed.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

A friend casts doubt on Douglas’ honesty. Could he have lied? Dan and Lucy uncover unsettling truths, and begin to question what’s real. They've tested the chemicals - now it is time to test Douglas. And Michael Sheen gives his verdict.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Dan and Lucy are shown how official reports have been changed, and hear allegations of ‘cover-up’ and ‘conspiracy’. What do those in power know - and what have they done?

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Michael Sheen calls... have Dan and Lucy accidentally poisoned him?

Probably not, but scientists warn that 'something out there' is causing a rise in illnesses, such as testicular cancer. Could it be PCBs in our food? Dan and Lucy test for the chemicals in fish that people buy to eat.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

Dan rushes to a site in South Wales, where PCBs are reportedly escaping from an old landfill site. He and Lucy take their strange team on the road, to test the earth in towns and villages countrywide. The results could reveal whether Douglas' prophecy has come true.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

As Dan and the film star Michael Sheen go digging around a toxic site, they are given a warning - the truth is a can of worms. A vicar picks up where Douglas left off. What is the full scale of the UK’s chemical legacy?

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

A child born without eyes. What did the chemical do? In Alabama, Dan finds a contaminated town, still reeling from its toxic legacy. Internal confidential memos reveal the manufacturer knew the risk.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4

“They would have killed me.”

Douglas Gowan says he was denounced in Parliament, impersonated and attacked - all to keep him silent. Dan and Lucy dig further into his explosive story, until they uncover an intriguing memo.

Buried is the award-winning true-crime series digging into some of the most disturbing environmental stories in history. In this new investigation, reporters Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor team up with the film star Michael Sheen. Together, they dig into the unseen files of a man who said he was beaten up and put under police protection, after alleging that a chemical had contaminated the food chain.

Produced and presented by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor

A Smoke Trail production for BBC Radio 4