Pesticide Drift Handled Properly, Panel Says
A grand jury found that the Kern County Fire Department, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Health Department responded appropriately to an Oct. 4 pesticide drift that sickened dozens of people and drove 100 residents from their homes.
The panel recommended enhanced communication between state and local agencies, increased computer access for the agriculture department’s volunteers, so they can check pesticide application permits, and immediate implementation of the guidelines established in December 2003 for dealing with pesticide exposure incidents.
The report also recommended simulating pesticide exposure in a small community.
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