Oakland is one of 12 cities across the nation receiving millions of dollars after filing a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant Bayer and former chemical company Monsanto for its alleged involvement in contaminating waterways with forever chemicals.
Announced on Tuesday, the $527.5 million settlement alleges that Monsanto, a now-defunct agrochemical company acquired by Bayer in 2016, produced polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, for 50 years despite knowing their detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Though the chemicals were banned over four decades ago, PCBs are still pervasive in all natural resources like water and plants, and in tissues of animals and marine life. Its presence is linked to serious long-term illness and cancer in humans.Oakland will receive an estimated $7.5 million after joining a class action complaint in 2020. The cities of Berkeley and San Jose are also named as class representatives in the settlement.
"The people of Oakland deserve and are entitled to have access to clean and healthy water," said Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker."This settlement will help us clean up the mess Monsanto made in Oakland's storm drains and the San Francisco Bay. I'm proud to have been a member of the team that spearheaded this litigation to hold corporate polluters accountable."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Oakland: Motorcyclist dies in solo East Oakland collisionA motorcyclist died after a solo collision Thursday at an East Oakland intersection, authorities said.
Read more »
San Jose, Fremont among Bay Area cities receiving slice of $36.5M Monsanto pollution payout - San Francisco Business TimesCommunities listed in the lawsuit have 'lost valuable fishing grounds and recreational swimming areas due to elevated PCBs,' according to a statement from law firm Baron & Budd, which represented the plaintiffs.
Read more »
'Critically ill' mountain lion cub rescued, being cared for at Oakland ZooState wildlife officials retrieved the cub, which was in poor health and appeared to be orphaned, on Monday and brought the animal to Oakland Zoo for care.
Read more »
Oakland City Council to reinstate mask mandate in city facilitiesMasking is once again required to enter city facilities in Oakland following a vote by the City Council Tuesday evening. The mandate applies to all people ages 6 and older.
Read more »
How liaison officers' work is impacting AAPI communities in OaklandOPD says robberies are down 60% in the Little Saigon ever since officer Nguyen, its appointed community liaison officer, has been on scene. In Chinatown, there have been no robberies reported in all of Nov.
Read more »
Outgoing Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf reflects on trials and triumphs in officeAt her final news conference Wednesday, outgoing Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf reflected on her eight years at the helm of one of the Bay Area's most enigmatic cities.
Read more »