“This is an important legal win for EPA and a major step forward for environmental enforcement,” said Granta Nakayama, assistant administrator for EPA’s enforcement and compliance program. “We will continue enforcing EPA’s regulations to protect agricultural workers from unnecessary exposure to pesticides.”

In January the EPA filed a complaint against Martex for improper pesticide use and endangerment of worker safety. On Jan. 19 the EPA’s Administrative Law Judge found Martex liable for 170 violations including failure to display detailed pesticide application information, failure to provide workers and handlers with decontamination materials, and failure to provide personal protective equipment. The ruling of the last two violations sets a president that failure to provide decontamination materials and failure to provide personal protective equipment constitute two separate violations.

Martex was established in 1989, and employs hundreds at its numerous facilities in Puerto Rico.

The EPA?EUR??,,????'???s guidelines are designed to reduce the risk of worker injury from exposure to pesticides directly or indirectly through drift, residue, or accidental spills or splashes. The FIFRA regulates the sale and distribution of pesticides in the United States.