Contaminated Town to Get $40 Million

A company accused of poisoning the community of Anniston with toxic chemicals for decades and then covering it up has agreed to pay $40 million to settle a lawsuit brought by nearly 1,600 residents.

The contamination allegedly was spread by the Monsanto Co., which manufactured PCBs in Anniston until 1972. Monsanto spun off its chemical business in 1997 into a company now called Solutia Inc.

The average payment to plaintiffs will be about $12,000, Ralph Knowles, an attorney for the Anniston residents, said. Each plaintiff, including about 500 minors, will receive at least $5,000, he said.