Bayer’s $650 Million PCB Pollution Settlement Rejected by Judge

A federal judge refused to approve Bayer AG’s $650 million settlement of claims by about 2,500 U.S. cities, counties and ports over pollution from polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB.

Among other problems with the deal, U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin in Los Angeles pointed to the broad scope of the release of legal liabilities for Bayer in the settlement. The judge said he can’t approve any accord that shields Bayer from claims by people or entities not included in the lawsuit.

The Nov. 25 ruling is a blow to Bayer’s efforts, in a $12 billion proposal it announced in ...