School children caught in spray drift

Caruthers, Calif.-County agriculture investigators say it’s likely there will be a violation and enforcement action taken over a vineyard drift incident southwest of here May 14 in which three children waiting for a school bus inhaled pesticide and fertilizer spray and were taken to a local hospital for a check-up. “We haven’t finished our investigation yet,” Fresno County Chief Agriculture Deputy Karen Fancone told Green Markets. “But at this point we suspect that Kryocide insecticide, Gibberellic acid plant growth regulator, and liquid sulfur were being applied. There was also a fertilizer in the mix, but we haven’t identified it yet.” The bus driver saw the spray rig working in the area and stopped to let it pass by before picking up the three children, Fresno County Fire Protection District spokesman Chris Christopherson told the local press. The bus driver checked the children for symptoms before continuing to Caruthers Elementary, where one child complained of a scratchy throat and the other two reported having trouble breathing. School officials called parents to the school, where the children showered, put on clean clothing their parents brought, and were taken to Community Regional Medical Center, but not admitted. Francone said there could be violations of the food and agriculture code or the California code of regulations as they pertain to pesticide use. The day before, in Madera County, sulfur dust being applied from a dusting machine for mildew control drifted across a road to where three children were waiting for a school bus. Agriculture Commissioner Robert Rolan said the dust apparently got on the children, who didn’t get on the bus but instead returned to their homes, showered, and changed clothing. “They were not complaining about any symptoms and didn’t see a doctor,” Rolan reported. He said the school bus driver stopped the bus, as he is trained to allow the drift to go by. “We investigate whenever anything like this happens. The clothing will be sent to the state lab to be analyzed and there probably will be a violation and enforcement action taken,” he added.