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U.S. EPA settles with New Mexico pest exterminator for $1,170

Release Date: 09/05/2007
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415-947-4149, [email protected]

Company exposed employees to improper pesticide applications

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined a Gamerco, New Mex. commercial pesticide applicator $1,170 for using registered pesticides contrary to label requirements at two sites on the Navajo Nation, a violation of federal pesticide law.

Employees of Begay’s Pest Control Service allegedly applied the registered pesticides, Demon WP, and Tempo WP Ultra, without proper eye-wear or protective clothing and equipment required by label instructions. The pesticides were improperly used at the Navajo Department of Justice Building in Window Rock, Ariz. and the Ganado Unified School District Office in Ganado, Ariz.

“Companies must ensure employees applying pesticides protect themselves and others from potential pesticide exposure by following all label requirements,” said Katherine Taylor, EPA’s associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division, Pacific Southwest region. “Failure to obey these necessary safeguards is considered a serious violation and can endanger the health of employees.”

The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency discovered the violations during inspections performed in July and November 2006.

Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies must register the pesticide with the EPA and include labeling directions for use and other information necessary to protect human health and the environment. Federal law requires that pesticide applicators comply with these labeling directions during commercial pesticide applications to protect their workers.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit the EPA’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra/index.html

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