Oregon Reaches History-Making Settlement With Monsanto Over PCB Pollution
Dec. 21, 2022
The nearly $700 million pollution settlement is the largest in the state’s history.
By Chemical Processing Staff
After several years of legal wrangling, the state of Oregon reaches a nearly $700 million settlement with Monsanto over the chemical company’s alleged decades-long role in polluting the state with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, according to an article from Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Oregon Dept. of Justice originally filed a lawsuit against the company in 2018, citing the health hazards posed by the toxic compounds. From the 1930s to just before their ban in 1979, Monsanto reportedly was the sole manufacturer of PCBs in the U.S.
According to OPB, the pollution settlement is the largest in Oregon’s history and the largest Monsanto has paid out to address contamination by the forever chemicals. The state’s lawsuit contends that Monsanto continued to “flood the country” with the chemicals despite knowing their danger since at least 1937. Monsanto reportedly admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
