The City of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto and other companies involved, seeking damages for the alleged contamination caused by their polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the city, as well as in its waterways. Monsanto, three of its corporate successors, and a local distributor are accused of releasing these toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil, despite being aware of their hazardous nature according to Chicago.gov.
While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned PCBs in the late 1970s, their presence still lingers, infiltrating our ecosystems and accumulating in the wildlife, particularly fish. Humans are predominantly exposed to these harmful compounds through the consumption of tainted food, breathing contaminated air, or swimming in or drinking contaminated water. An array of severe health conditions, including cancer, organ system disruptions, and reduced birth weight, have been linked to PCB exposure.
“Monsanto knew for decades that its commercial PCB formulations were highly toxic and would inevitably produce precisely the contamination and human health risks that have occurred, perpetuating the environmental abuse and stark inequities so many of the Chicago’s neighborhoods have long suffered from,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson in the press release.
Records indicate Monsanto misled the public on the dangers of PCBs while promoting their use in various industrial and household applications according to Chicago.gov.
