LOS ANGELES, Dec 19, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - A US jury has ordered chemical giant Monsanto to pay $857 million to people exposed to PCBs -- a chemical formerly used as a coolant -- at a school in Washington state.

The jury found the company -- now owned by German firm Bayer -- liable for the sale of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that were used in light fittings at Sky Valley Education Center, ordering it to pay $73 million compensation and $784 million in punitive damages to seven plaintiffs.