Introduction to the Settlement
Monsanto, once the largest makers of a now-banned class of chemicals, agreed to pay the state $120 million and potentially more, under a settlement announced by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Monday.
Background of the Case
Raoul sued Monsanto in 2022 alleging that company officials long knew that widely used polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were dangerous to people and the environment even as they denied it. In use for about half a century, PCBs were banned in 1979 because of their high toxicity. The chemicals, believed to be carcinogens and the cause of multiple other illnesses, don’t break down easily in the environment.
Statement from the Attorney General
“I’m pleased that this settlement will hold Monsanto accountable for producing and disposing of a dangerous toxic chemical that continues to impact Illinois’ natural resources,” Raoul said in a statement.
Distribution of the Settlement
Chicago, Evanston and eight other suburbs will split $80 million and the state will collect another $40 million, initially, Raoul said. The other suburbs involved in the settlement are Lake Forest, North Chicago, Zion, Beach Park, Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Winnetka and Winthrop Harbor.
Potential for Additional Payments
The agreement allows for Monsanto, which is now a division of Germany-based Bayer, to pay more than twice the settlement amount to the state. But that will depend on a separate lawsuit Monsanto has brought against its largest customers for PCBs.
Production and Use of PCBs
Monsanto produced PCBs in the downstate community of Sauget, which is near St. Louis. The chemicals were used in a range of products, including lubricants for electrical equipment. According to Raoul, the company sold almost 50 million pounds of PCB mixtures in Illinois.
Environmental Impact
Monsanto discharged large amounts of hazardous waste from its Sauget plant into sewers that contaminated the nearby Mississippi River, Raoul said.
Terms of the Agreement
As part of the agreement, Monsanto admits no wrongdoing. “During the time of manufacture, Monsanto conducted hundreds of studies on PCB safety, provided appropriate warnings to its sophisticated industrial customers based on state-of-the science at the time and cooperated with the U.S. government’s” research of the chemicals, the company said in a statement Monday.
Conclusion
The settlement marks a significant step towards holding Monsanto accountable for the environmental and health impacts of its PCB production. The funds received by the state and affected suburbs will likely be used to support cleanup efforts and mitigate the ongoing effects of PCB pollution.
FAQs
What is the total amount of the settlement?
The total amount of the settlement is $120 million, with the potential for Monsanto to pay more than twice that amount depending on the outcome of a separate lawsuit.
Which suburbs are involved in the settlement?
The suburbs involved in the settlement are Chicago, Evanston, Lake Forest, North Chicago, Zion, Beach Park, Glencoe, Lake Bluff, Winnetka, and Winthrop Harbor.
What were PCBs used for?
PCBs were used in a range of products, including lubricants for electrical equipment.
Why were PCBs banned?
PCBs were banned in 1979 due to their high toxicity and potential to cause cancer and other illnesses.
