EPA fines Eugene company in woman's death

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EPA fines Eugene company in woman's death

4/30/2009, 5:36 p.m. PDT

The Associated Press

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-10/1241140283206870\

..xml & storylist=orlocal

(AP) — EUGENE, Ore. - A Eugene extermination company has been fined $4,550 for

illegally applying pesticides at the home of a Florence woman who died from

cardiac arrest.

Swanson's Pest Management fumigated an elderly couple's home in June 2005.

After returning a few hours later, 76-year-old Florence Kolbeck died and her

husband was hospitalized with breathing problems. Emergency responders also

became ill.

The Environmental Protection Agency says a worker who had failed his licensing

exam seven times sprayed too much pesticide and failed to properly ventilate.

The agency says the fine is the maximum allowed under the law.

Joan Jensen, Swanson's operations manager, told KLCC radio that the company is

not at fault and disagrees with the EPA's judgment.

Swanson's settled a $2.5 million lawsuit filed by Kolbeck's husband.

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Information from: KLCC-FM, http://www.klcc.org/