Helena Chemical Company, Pesticide Disposal Violation, Oklahoma 2015

Oklahoma City, OK – Helena Chemical Company has been sentenced following a guilty plea to a violation of federal pesticide regulations, stemming from an illegal disposal incident in 2013. The case, investigated jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, revealed a pattern of reckless handling of restricted-use pesticides with potentially damaging environmental consequences.

According to court documents, on May 22, 2013, employees of Helena Chemical Company improperly disposed of chemicals, including Atrazine and S-Metolachlor – key active ingredients in the restricted-use pesticide Medal II AT. Instead of adhering to mandated disposal protocols, company personnel discharged the unused pesticide directly onto the ground. This action resulted in the substance running onto neighboring property and ultimately contaminating Little Cabin Creek, a local waterway.

The deliberate nature of the disposal, bypassing established labeling instructions for Medal II AT, constitutes a serious breach of federal law. Restricted-use pesticides are subject to stringent regulations due to their potential toxicity and environmental impact, requiring certified applicators and adherence to specific handling and disposal procedures. The EPA-CID and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture launched a comprehensive investigation following reports of the contamination, uncovering evidence of the unlawful dumping.

The investigation highlighted the significant risk posed by improper pesticide disposal. Contamination of waterways like Little Cabin Creek can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, threaten wildlife, and potentially impact human health. Federal authorities emphasize that companies handling these dangerous substances have a responsibility to safeguard the environment and comply with all applicable regulations.

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Penalties and Restitution

On April 5, 2015, Helena Chemical Company was sentenced in federal court. The company was ordered to pay a substantial $150,000 fine as a penalty for the violation. In addition to the financial penalty, Helena Chemical was directed to make a $75,000 community service payment to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. These funds will be allocated to environmental projects, initiatives, emergency responses, and educational programs focused on preserving and restoring Oklahoma’s environment and waterways. The company will also remain on a four-year term of unsupervised probation, requiring adherence to specific conditions to ensure future compliance.

Key Facts

Defendant: Helena Chemical Company
Crime: Illegal disposal of restricted-use pesticide
State: Oklahoma
Year: 2015
Pesticide Involved: Medal II AT (containing Atrazine and S-Metolachlor)
Statute Violated: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. § 136j(a)(2)(G)
Penalty: $150,000 fine, $75,000 community service payment, 4 years unsupervised probation
Contaminated Waterway: Little Cabin Creek

This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and environmental consequences associated with non-compliance with pesticide regulations. GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental crime and hold polluters accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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