Who will clean up the toxic mess in San Diego Bay?

Americas Now

It may look clean and pristine on the surface, but the floor of the San Diego Bay in California has been covered with toxic pollutants for decades. And they’ve been there since World War II. Correspondent Mike Kirsch reports on the cause of contamination in these coastal waters. He also tells us about the legal battle to decide who should clean it up.

San Diego, California, with its spectacular bays and beaches, is known as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, calling itself “America’s Finest City.” But now, some say a dirty little secret – or “toxic” little secret – is slowly seeping out of its famed San Diego Bay. The floor of the Bay is blanketed with tons of toxic PCB’s that are linked to cancer.

The chemicals were sold by a company named Monsanto. Now the government of San Diego is in a legal war with Monsanto over who should pay to clear away the poisonous mess.

San Diego authorities fear additional PCBs will be stirred up by the turbulent Bay waters created by this year’s strong El Nino weather system.

Check out Mike Kirsch’s package for “Americas Now.”

San Diego\'s Toxic Bay

It may look clean and pristine on the surface, but the floor of the San Diego Bay in California has been covered with toxic pollutants for decades. And they’ve been there since World War II. Correspondent Mike Kirsch reports on the cause of contamination in these coastal waters. He also tells us about the legal battle to decide who should clean it up. San Diego, California, with its spectacular bays and beaches, is known as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, calling itself “America’s Finest City.” But now, some say a dirty little secret - or “toxic” little secret - is slowly seeping out of its famed San Diego Bay. The floor of the Bay is blanketed with tons of toxic PCB’s that are linked to cancer. The chemicals were sold by a company named Monsanto. Now the government of San Diego is in a legal war with Monsanto over who should pay to clear away the poisonous mess. San Diego authorities fear additional PCBs will be stirred up by the turbulent Bay waters created by this year's strong El Nino weather system. Check out Mike Kirsch’s package for “Americas Now.”