DEP: Newark Company Used Harmful Chemicals While Spraying for Bedbugs in Jersey City
By Jon Whiten • Jul 9th, 2010 • Category: Blog, News
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says Newark’s TVF Pest Control has used chemicals not appropriate for indoor use in about 70 residences in Jersey City and other locations since October while spraying for bedbugs and other infestations.
The DEP has issued an administrative order requiring TVF to cease all applications that use the chemicals Malathion and Carbaryl, and to promptly begin a cleanup of all affected residences, which has already begun. Exposure to these chemicals, which can be absorbed through the skin, can lead to everything from headaches and nausea to muscle twitching and vomiting.
The cleanups have already begun, and the DEP will hire an independent contractor to conduct sampling in order to ensure proper cleaning. No determination has been made at this point regarding possible fines or penalties that could be imposed on the company, as the DEP is focusing first on the cleanup effort.
The DEP’s investigation of the company began last month after Massachusetts officials told DEP officials that TVF was the subject of a federal Environmental Protection Agency probe in that state regarding indoor use of pesticides to combat bedbugs.
The agency found that residences in Jersey City, Newark, Elizabeth, Harrison, Kearny, Perth Amboy, Linden, South River and Avenel were treated by TVF since October. The DEP is still working to determine if any other buildings or residences were serviced by that company with an improper pesticide mix.
In addition to Malathion and Carbaryl, the DEP has found a third substance, Cypermethrin, was also used. However, this chemical can be legitmately applied indoors, but only if done properly. The DEP is looking into whether or not TVF used it properly.
“This company demonstrated a total disregard for public health and safety,” DEP Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement Wolf Skacel says in a statement. “It’s important that anyone who used this company get in touch with us or health officials. We want to make sure that a full cleanup takes place.”
To that end, if TVF has applied a liquid spray to control insects in your residence or building, the DEP is urging you to contact local or state health officials or the DEP. Call the DEP at 609-984-6568 (609-984-6914 for Spanish speakers) for more information.
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Jon Whiten is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
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