Terminix and its counterpart in the U.S. Virgin Islands will pay $10 million for the illegal indoor use of the pesticide methyl bromide, which sickened a Delaware family on vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands in March 2015.
Steve Esmond, his wife, Dr. Theresa Divine and their two sons fell ill after a Terminix worker sprayed the condo underneath the one where they were staying. While USA Today reported that an update on their condition was not immediately available on Tuesday, earlier reports said members of the family were paralyzed for months.
The EPA banned methyl bromide for indoor use in 1984, as it is known to cause neurological damage. Terminix’s plea agreement includes $8 million in fines, $1 million to fund a community service project and $1 million in restitution to the EPA. The company will likely also face civil proceedings with the family.
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