Sevaral giant chemical companies reprieve at the Federal District Court in Los Angeles, when judge Andrew Hauke threw out a lawsuit Filed by the federal government.

The suit had acused companies like Rhone-Poulence, Westing-hous Electrical Corporation and ICI American Holdings, of dumping pesticides into the Santa Monica Bay, Los Angel and Long Beach Harbours since the mid-40s. It also sought a refund for the dean-up. Hauke ruled that the lawyers had delayed in filing the lawsuit.