PCB Pollution Lawsuit Ends with the Largest Environmental Damage Recovery Settlement in Oregon History

Last month, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced a $698 million dollar settlement with chemical company for their past role in polluting Oregon with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The settlement ends a lawsuit that was filed back in 2018 that alleged the company was aware of the highly toxic nature of PCBs as early as 1937.

According to an Oregon Department of Justice press release announcing the settlement:
PCBs are toxic compounds formerly used in coolants, electrical equipment (such as fluorescent lighting fixtures), and devices, as well as hydraulic oils. They were also previously used in products, including paint, caulking, and copy paper.

Polychlorinated biphenyls were domestically produced from 1929 until manufacturing was banned in 1979. PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. These chemicals can persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in living organisms.

“Unfortunately, these chemicals can still be found in contaminated outdoor sites due to PCBs that were dumped into the environment,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “There are also indoor environments where PCBs are present due to their past use in various materials. They can potentially contaminate surfaces and even cause indoor air quality concerns.”

To identify exposure risks to PCBs and other hazardous chemicals, EMSL Analytical offers environmental, material and industrial hygiene testing services. These same tests can also be instrumental in confirming remediation efforts at contaminated sites have effectively removed these chemical contaminants.

The PCB testing experts at EMSL sponsored an educational video about PCBs in building materials a few years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/o-e5o86u0mk

To learn more about PCBs or other chemical testing services and sampling supplies, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail