Jury in Alabama clears Monsanto
Written on April 18, 2009
A jury cleared Monsanto Co. on Tuesday of allegations that its Anniston, Ala., plant exposed five people to toxic levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, leaving them with health problems.
The five former residents of Anniston, the first of about 2,900 to take their claims to trial, alleged that Monsanto dumped PCBs onto land and into waterways for decades, boosting the risk of diabetes and arthritis.
The residents, who sought millions, also claimed Monsanto knew of health hazards associated with PCBs since 1937 and covered them up instant cash loans. The Birmingham, Ala., jury rejected the claims.
"There is no credible scientific evidence that PCBs cause any of the illnesses," said Monsanto attorney Augusta Dowd. "The jury understood this."
Filed in: technology.