- Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum settled with the Monsanto Company and affiliated entities for allegedly violating various state tort laws by releasing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into Oregon’s environment for decades, despite knowing that the compounds are highly toxic.
- According to the complaint, Oregon’s natural environment, including its rivers, streams, forests, and agricultural lands, is contaminated by PCBs. The toxic compound was solely manufactured and distributed widely by Monsanto between 1929 and 1977, despite the company’s alleged knowledge as early as 1937 that PCBs were toxic to humans and animals. PCBs are compounds that were used in coolants, electrical equipment such as fluorescent lighting, hydraulic oils, paint, caulk, and copy paper, prior to a federal ban on their use in 1977.
- Under the terms of the settlement, Monsanto must pay the state a total of $698 million, which will be used primarily for environmental remediation and clean-up projects.