Hawaiʻi Settled PCB Contamination Claims with Monsanto
The state secured an initial $10 million payment from Monsanto, Solutia, and Pharmacia to address environmental damages.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Environmental
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Hawaiʻi has reached a legal settlement with Monsanto, Solutia, and Pharmacia regarding extensive PCB contamination in its waterways and natural resources. The agreement guarantees an initial $10 million payment to the state.
Why it matters
This settlement addresses long-standing environmental damages caused by polychlorinated biphenyls, which were manufactured in the United States from the 1930s until they were prohibited in 1979.
The settlement total could reach $45 million, with a guaranteed $10 million initial payment. The final payout is contingent on the results of an indemnity action regarding historic purchasers of the chemicals.
The players
Monsanto
This corporation was the primary manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls in the United States for several decades.
Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General
This state agency acts as the lead representative for Hawaiʻi in legal actions regarding environmental contamination.
The details
The legal action resolved claims against the manufacturers for their role in producing PCBs, which Monsanto manufactured as the sole U.S. source between 1929 and 1977. This resolution follows the state's separate 2023 legal action against 25 PFAS manufacturers.
Timeline
Monsanto produced PCBs between 1929 and 1977.
The U.S. banned PCB production and use in 1979.
Hawaiʻi filed a lawsuit against 25 PFAS manufacturers in 2023.
The initial $10 million payment is due by October 31, 2026.
The Big Picture
This settlement reflects the ongoing legal efforts to address legacy pollution following the enactment of the Toxic Substances Control Act. It marks a significant milestone in holding manufacturers accountable for environmental damages that persisted well after the 1979 federal prohibition.
The secured funds are earmarked to address contamination in local waterways and natural resources, which may lead to future state-led remediation projects. Residents may see increased efforts to monitor or clean affected areas as the state utilizes the settlement payments.
The takeaway
This agreement provides the state with significant capital to address historical chemical pollution within its natural borders. It underscores the long-term financial and environmental liabilities companies face for chemical production legacy.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing ecological restoration efforts, visit the Environmental section.
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Should companies be held legally responsible for environmental damage caused by products sold decades ago?
