A Washington state jury has ordered Bayer to pay $100 million to four individuals who claimed they suffered health issues due to exposure to toxic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at a school facility in the Seattle area. The jury's decision, announced on January 14, 2025, awarded far less than the $4 billion sought by the plaintiffs. However, the jury found Bayer, which acquired Monsanto, not liable for injuries claimed by 11 other individuals involved in the case. The toxic PCBs were reportedly present in fluorescent light ballasts and caulk used at the school. Bayer's Monsanto unit ceased PCB production over 50 years ago, but the legal repercussions continue as the materials once used in schools and homes remain a concern.