American Family Poisoned by Pesticide in Virgin Islands Still Being Treated 6 Weeks Later
The EPA found that a resort employee used a pesticide that was banned in 1984.
— -- The Delaware family who suffered pesticide poisoning during a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands are still being treated, according to a statement released by the family's lawyer.
Teenage boys Sean and Ryan Esmond remain in critical condition and their parents, Stephen Esmond and Theresa Devine, are undergoing rehabilitation therapy, the statement said.
The family's illnesses came after a banned pesticide was sprayed at a resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands where they were staying six weeks ago.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice are working with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning & Natural Resources to complete their investigation into the incident, according to the statement.
The Associated Press reported that the EPA found that a toxic pesticide called mthyl bromide was used by a Terminex employee and has previously been used at the resort in the past even though it had been banned for chemical use in 1984.
"The family is confident that those responsible will be brought to justice," the statement added.