US Targets Puerto Rico Companies in Toxic Pesticide Case
Source: Associated Press
US Targets Puerto Rico Companies in Toxic Pesticide Case
By DANICA COTO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Mar 1, 2016, 5:15 PM ET
The U.S. government on Tuesday filed complaints against a pest control company in Puerto Rico and two businessmen for the illegal use of a toxic pesticide that nearly killed an American family in the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Environmental Protection Agency said the businessmen used methyl bromide to fumigate homes and other unauthorized places in several cities across Puerto Rico from 2013 to early 2015. The men were identified as Edwin Andujar Bermudez with Truly Nolen Pest Control of Caguas and Wilson Torres Rivera of Tower & Son Exterminating Corp. in Bayamon. Tower & Son was named in a separate complaint, but not Truly Nolen.
They face up to $7,500 in civil penalties for each violation as part of a continuing federal investigation in Puerto Rico into the illegal use of methyl bromide, an odorless chemical that can severely damage the brain and lungs. EPA spokesman John Martin said the agency expects to announce more actions in upcoming months.
"Applying methyl bromide products in homes is dangerous and against federal law," said Judith Enck, an EPA regional administrator.
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