CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia attorney General J.B. McCuskey announced a major settlement Tuesday with Monsanto Company, Solutia Inc., and Pharmacia LLC, which resolve the state’s claims involving PCB contamination.

The settlement will guarantee a $24.5 million payment to West Virginia, and the total potential value could reach up to $60.5 million by the end of 2030. $12.5 million of the guaranteed $24.5 million payment will be paid to the state by the end of the year.

The suit relates to PCBs persisting in West Virginia’s environment, despite their ban in 1979. PCBs are toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer and other harmful effects to the human body.

Nationwide, complaints allege Monsanto of producing 99 percent of all the PCBs in America. Complaints from other states say Mons

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