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PA LOUISIANA MAN INDICTED FOR PESTICIDE MISUSE

Release Date: 07/02/98
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1998

LOUISIANA MAN INDICTED FOR PESTICIDE MISUSE

Oscar Miller, Sr., of Independence, La., was indicted on June 22, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans on five counts of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Miller, who is a certified pesticide applicator, is alleged to have sold the pesticide methyl parathion to individuals to kill household insects on five occasions between January 1995 and March 1997. Methyl parathion is a powerful pesticide which is not authorized for use in homes, because when it is applied indoors, the chemical can remain active for up to two years. Human exposure to methyl parathion can produce convulsions, coma and death. If convicted, Miller faces a maximum sentence of up to five years imprisonment and/or fines of up to $500,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.

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