The agrochemical company Monsanto has reached a settlement and will pay a historic $698 million settlement for allegedly polluting Oregon for over 90 years.

Source: KGW News/YouTube

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced the historic settlement after Monsanto was found to be polluting the state for nearly a century. Monsanto was the only manufacturer, seller, and distributor of pollutant polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These toxic compounds were once used in coolants, electrical equipment, devices, and products.

PCBs are known to cause cancer and other dangerous health effects in both humans and animals. They impair the endocrine, neurologic, and reproductive systems and can pollute waterways, kill plants, and degrade the soil.

The legal complaint alleges that Monsanto was aware as early as 1947 that PCBs were highly toxic. Although they had this knowledge, they continued to produce and promote the compounds for decades until 1977 and the EPA ban on PCBs began in 1979. The lawsuit asked for damages for the harm done to Oregon from PCB contamination and clean-up costs.

“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.

Related Content:

• Tiny Wisconsin Town Sued After Trying to Stop Pollution From Factory Farms
• California Just Released the World’s First Plan to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Pollution
• Top Source of Oil Pollution in the Ocean is Our Cars, New Report Finds
• Seaworld Pays $65 Million Settlement for Lying to Investors about Impact of Blackfish on their Business
• UPS Pays EPA $5.3M and Agrees to Fix Hazardous Waste Violations at 1,160 Locations

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take the initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and essential stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!