Washington State Sues Monsanto Over Toxic Chemical Damages, Cleanup

The US state of Washington filed a lawsuit against agribusiness giant Monsanto for damages and cleanup costs associated with toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) the company produced for decades despite knowing about the environmental and health risks, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The lawsuit seeks damages from Monsanto and two of its splinter companies, Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC, for damages to the state and its residents.

"Monsanto knew the dangers of PCBs yet hid them from the public to generate profits," Ferguson stated on Thursday. "I will hold Monsanto accountable for its actions."

Additionally, the state asked the court to address the present and future costs of cleaning up the "public nuisance," which could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.

In 1979, the Toxic Substances Control Act banned the manufacture of PCBs citing health risks. The lawsuit alleges Monsanto produced the chemicals for over 40 years despite knowing they were harmful to humans, animals and the environment.

The compounds spread throughout the ecosystem before the 1979 ban, Ferguson asserted.