Oregon announced a $698 million settlement with Bio-Tech company Monsanto over its use of dangerous chemicals known as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
The lawsuit, headed by Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, saw a settlement for Monsanto’s role in polluting the state for almost a century, said a release from the Oregon Department of Justice.
The company was the sole manufacturer and distributor of PCBs, which are mainly used in coolants and electrical equipment. PCBs are toxic compounds that can be found in fluorescent lighting fixtures but have also previously been used in other products, such as paint, sealants, and copy paper.
“This is a huge win for our state. PCBs are still present throughout Oregon — especially in our landfills and riverbeds — and they are exceedingly difficult to remove because they ‘bioaccumulate’ in fish and wildlife,” said Rosenblum.
She added that cleaning up the state of PCBs will be a “costly and time-consuming” effort. The settlement means, however, that resources are now available to help tackle the issue, she said.
Monsanto is owned by German pharmaceutical and biotechnology giant Bayer AG which issued a statement saying that the settlement “fully resolves all Oregon’s claims and releases the company from any future liability.” The statement, however, doesn’t mention any admission of wrongdoing or liability by the company, reported Fox.
Aware of PCB Toxicity
The lawsuit was first filed by Rosenblum in 2018. It sought to cover damages caused to the environment and clean-up costs.
It later emerged that Monsanto had been aware of the toxicity of PCBs since at least 1937 but continued production, endorsement, and distribution until 1977 when they were finally banned.
“Monsanto’s toxic legacy unfortunately lives on in our lands, rivers and other waterways – and poses ongoing risks to the health of our people and our environment,” Rosenblum said.
Authorities, including the Oregon Justice Department and Governor Kate Brown, will now cooperate in a joint effort to utilize the funds accordingly across the state.
“This settlement is a major step in beginning to reverse the harmful effects of PCBs on Oregon’s environment. I’d like to thank the DOJ staff and attorneys who worked diligently to get us to this point. While it will take some time, I am pleased we can now move forward toward a healthier Oregon,” Brown said.
Oregon is the latest U.S. state to secure a settlement from the company. It is by far the largest settlement ever to be received by the state, as well as compared with other states, Fox reported.
Other states where settlements have been reached include Washington, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio, and the District of Columbia, with a combined figure of $275 million.
