Monsanto's Dark Legacy In Anniston: Were Laws Broken?

Monsanto has been accused of poisoning the residents of Anniston, Alabama, with chemicals called Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In 2003, the company was ordered to pay a settlement of close to $700 million to more than 20,000 residents who blamed illnesses, including cancer and birth defects, on exposure to PCBs.

Monsanto's knowledge of the dangers of PCBs

Monsanto was aware of the dangers of PCBs as early as 1937, when a meeting at the Harvard School of Public Health noted the growing use of PCBs in electrical equipment and the worrisome implications of widespread dispersal of this material. In the same year, Monsanto considered the chemicals toxic enough to give workers protective gear and clothing.

In 1939, the US Department of Health and Human Services determined that PCBs "may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens".

In 1944, Monsanto was warning its salesmen about the dangers of Aroclor. In its Salesmen’s Manual, the company warned that “All chlorinated hydrocarbons have measurable degrees of toxicity to the animal organism. Aroclors are no exception.”

In 1956, Monsanto tried to interest the Navy in using one of their products, Pydraul 150, as a material for elevating the antennas in submarines. The Navy was worried about the use of PCBs in its atomic submarines which could “remain submerged for periods of up to 6 weeks” which meant that “any possible toxicological effects [could not] be tolerated.”

In 1966, a startling study appeared from researchers at the University of Stockholm, Sweden. Soren Jensen and Gunnar Widmark, of the University’s Institute of Analytical Chemistry, used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to study the impact of pesticides on a variety of fish and fauna. They were looking for DDT and other pesticides, but to their surprise, they found other “unknown compounds” in the biological samples which they identified as polychlorinated biphenyls. They found “a large number of samples” which revealed that “polychlorinated biphenyls are found especially in fish and in sea birds …and in some samples of human depot fat.”

In 1968, a mixture of dioxins and PCBs got into rice bran oil produced in northern Kyushu, Japan. Contaminated cooking oil sickened more than 1,860 people. The symptoms were called Yushō disease.

In 1970, Monsanto representatives met with General Electric Corporation, perhaps Monsanto’s biggest customer of dielectric fluids, to discuss “the PCB-Pollution Problem.”

In 1971, Monsanto began to understand how difficult it would be to reach their “target of 10 ppb of PCBs in our plant waste streams which we expected to achieve by the third quarter 1971.”

In 1975, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was finding “high levels of PCB in fish taken from Choccolocco Creek downstream from its confluence with Snow Creek.”

In 1976, Monsanto announced that it planned to phase out the manufacture of PCBs.

Monsanto's attempts to cover up the scandal

Monsanto denied allegations of wrongdoing and claimed that its chemical discharges were negligible. The company argued that it did not fully understand the environmental and health impacts of PCBs at the time of their release. However, evidence suggests that Monsanto was aware of the toxic effects of PCBs as early as 1937 and possibly even earlier. Internal documents and court files indicate that Monsanto had knowledge of the severe health and environmental damage caused by PCBs.

Monsanto tried to buy the silence of residents by offering to purchase properties in affected areas. This included attempting to buy a local church, Mars Hill Missionary Baptist Church, after discovering high concentrations of PCBs in the area. The company also settled lawsuits, such as the one brought by the Mars Hill congregation, without admitting guilt. In 2001, residents settled a case against Monsanto for $43 million, and in 2003, the company agreed to pay $600 million to settle claims, but its subsidiary Solutia declared bankruptcy that year.

Monsanto also manipulated scientific research to downplay the health risks associated with PCBs. In 1975, a Monsanto manager requested that a lab report on animal toxicity studies be amended to remove references to tumours caused by PCBs. The final report omitted all mentions of tumours. Additionally, the company publicly expressed scepticism about the association between PCBs and disease, despite internal concerns and growing scientific evidence to the contrary.

The health problems caused by PCBs

In 2003, residents of Anniston, Alabama, won a $700 million settlement from Monsanto, blaming the company for illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals called PCBs. PCBs, or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, are a group of 209 different chemicals that share a common structure but vary in the number of attached chlorine atoms. They were banned in the US in 1979 due to fears about their toxicity, but not before causing a lot of harm to the residents of Anniston.

PCBs have been found to cause a host of health problems in humans, especially those exposed to large amounts. Here is a detailed list of the health problems caused by PCBs:

• Skin conditions: The most common health problem associated with PCB exposure is skin irritation, including severe acne (chloracne) and rashes.
• Liver damage: Studies of exposed workers have shown changes in blood and urine that indicate potential liver damage.
• Cancer: PCBs are classified as Group 1 carcinogens, with consistent evidence showing an increased risk of melanoma and other cancers with exposure. Studies have found increased rates of melanomas, liver cancer, gall bladder cancer, biliary tract cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, and brain cancer in humans exposed to PCBs.
• Reproductive issues: PCB exposure has been linked to reduced sperm counts, altered sex organs, premature puberty, and changed sex ratios of children. In animals, exposure to PCBs has resulted in retarded growth, delayed puberty, decreased sperm counts, and genital malformations.
• Developmental effects: Women exposed to PCBs before or during pregnancy have given birth to children with neurological and motor control problems, lowered IQ, and poor short-term memory. These effects can last for several years.
• Hormone disruption: PCBs can mimic the body's natural hormones, especially estrogen, leading to shortened menstrual cycles in women and potentially contributing to reduced sperm counts and altered sex organs.
• Immune system and thyroid effects: PCB exposure can upset the balance of thyroid hormones, affecting growth, intellectual development, and behavioral development. PCBs also bind to receptors that control immune system function, disturbing the amounts of some immune system elements like lymphocytes and T cells.
• Neurological effects: PCBs are known to be neurotoxic to children, causing issues with memory, psychomotor skills, and behavior.

The environmental impact of PCBs

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are a group of toxic, man-made organic chemicals that have hazardous effects on both the environment and human health. They are non-flammable and range in consistency from an oil to a waxy solid. They have no taste or smell.

PCBs were produced in large quantities between the 1930s and 1970s and were used in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, including electrical equipment, paints, plastics, and rubber products. They were also used in carbonless copy paper, pigments, dyes, and other industrial applications. Due to their chemical stability and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were highly sought after.

However, PCBs were found to have serious adverse effects on the environment and human health, leading to a ban on their production and use. PCBs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can remain in the environment for long periods, travelling through air, water, and migratory species across international boundaries. They accumulate in fatty tissues and bio-magnify in the food chain, posing risks to top predators such as tuna, seals, polar bears, and humans.

In addition to their environmental impact, PCBs have been linked to various adverse health effects in humans. Studies have shown that PCBs can cause cancer and non-cancer health issues, including impacts on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system. PCBs have also been associated with developmental and respiratory issues, skin rashes, and alterations in blood and urine that may indicate liver damage.

The toxic legacy of PCBs continues to be addressed globally, with efforts to reduce and eliminate their use and protect human health and the environment.

The legal and financial repercussions for Monsanto

Monsanto's actions in Anniston, Alabama, have had significant legal and financial repercussions for the company.

Legal Repercussions

In 2003, Monsanto was forced to pay a settlement of $700 million to more than 20,000 residents of Anniston, Alabama, who blamed illnesses—ranging from cancer to neurological issues—on exposure to Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) produced by the company. The lawsuit alleged that Monsanto was aware of the toxic effects of PCBs and had done nothing to prevent the harm caused to the community.

The jury in the case found Monsanto liable on six counts: negligence, wantonness, suppression of the truth, nuisance, trespass, and outrage. This outcome had a significant impact on the company's reputation and led to further legal troubles.

Financial Repercussions

In addition to the $700 million settlement, Monsanto and its corporate successors have faced substantial financial costs due to the Anniston case. Solutia Inc., the corporation formed when Monsanto spun off its chemical division, has spent millions of dollars on cleanup efforts and settlements in other PCB cases related to Anniston. The company's share prices have also plummeted as a result of the negative publicity and legal rulings.

The financial impact of the Anniston case has extended beyond the initial settlement and cleanup costs. Monsanto's brand and reputation have been damaged, potentially affecting its sales and future business prospects. The company has also faced increased scrutiny and public outrage, which may have contributed to further legal and financial troubles for the company.

The full extent of the financial repercussions for Monsanto is challenging to quantify, but it is clear that the Anniston case has had a significant negative impact on the company's bottom line and public image.

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