Monsanto Must Face Most of Illinois’ PCB Pollution Claims (1)

Monsanto Co. must still face most claims that it polluted Illinois waterways with polychlorinated biphenyls, even after a federal judge trimmed the suit.

Illinois sued the Bayer AG-owned company, in addition to Solutia Inc. and Pharmacia LLC, alleging that the companies caused statewide contamination of Illinois’ natural resources by selling and distributing PCBs. Monsanto produced substantial volumes of PCB mixtures and engaged in reckless and unlawful methods of waste disposal, which leaked into the Mississippi River and other waterways, the lawsuit said.

Judge Robert W. Gettlemen of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois rejected Monsanto’s ...