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CALIFORNIA GROWER CHARGED WITH EXPOSING MIGRANT WORKERS TO PESTICIDE
Release Date: 06/05/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1998
CALIFORNIA GROWER CHARGED WITH EXPOSING
MIGRANT WORKERS TO PESTICIDE
John F. Clement of McFarland, Calif., owner and operator of Casa Famoso Packing, was charged on May 29, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Fresno with violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act by improperly exposing migrant workers to pesticides. In April 1997, Clement contracted with a labor company to provide field workers. Most of the workers were migrant workers from low income areas. While the workers were in the field, Clements allegedly directed the spraying of the pesticide Agri-Mycin 17. In violation of the pesticide label not to re-enter the sprayed area for 12 hours, Clements allegedly ordered workers to continue working immediately after the pesticide was applied. A number of the exposed workers sought medical attention for headaches, rashes, sore throats and burning eyes. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.
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