Field Workers Sprayed by Crop Duster

July 22, 2007

appx 1 mile north of Hwy 96 on Vance Avenue - At 09:30 hours on 07/22/07 Marshall County Authorities were dispatched to appx 1 mile north of Highway 96 on Vance Avenue. It was indicated in the call that a group of over 30 individuals, who were de-tasseling corn in the area, had just been sprayed by a crop-duster plane. Some of the individuals who were involved were complaining of nausea and minor skin irritation.

The Beaman First Responders and Fire Department were dispatched. In addition, calls went out for assistance to the Marshall County Emergency Management as well as the Green Mountain, Conrad and Marshalltown Fire Departments and EMS personnel. Communication was also established with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Waterloo Haz-Mat.

Upon arrival, incident command was established at the scene and the process of decontamination and treatment of those impacted by the spraying took place. During this process, 17 individuals were transported to the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center by ambulance services from Marshalltown and the surrounding area for observation and treatment. The remaining individuals affected by the incident were decontaminated on scene. At this time there are no apparent indications of serious injury to those involved. Further information as it relates to the condition of those transported to MMSC should be directed to the hospital in Marshalltown.

The company who was applying the product by plane was not employed by Pioneer Corp.

The investigation is continuing through a joint effort by the Marshall County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Agriculture. At this time the names of the company applying the spray and the pilot involved, are being withheld for investigative purposes.

About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is headed up by Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus. Sheriff Kamatchus is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.

For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Deputy Steve Sodders
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380
Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us
www.marshallcountysheriff.com

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