Wadley woman dies from insecticide exposure

Jefferson County officials confirm that it was an insecticide being used in a Wadley home that killed a 58 year old woman and sent three children to the hospital Wednesday. Director of Jefferson County Emergency Services, Jim Anderson, who is also the Jefferson Fire Chief, says their investigation shows that a family member distributed an agricultural insecticide in the residence on Wednesday. It is believed to have released a gas that was inhaled by the woman, as well as a 12 year old juvenile living there.
Anderson says that after the four arrived at Jefferson Hospital, the decision was made to request the Swainsboro Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team to respond and assist in the evaluation and identification of the chemical and any hazards that may exist.
Swainsboro Fire Chief Michael Strobridge says the team arrived around 10 p.m. on Wednesday and didn’t leave ‘til about 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
Based on findings by the team and safety precautions, the recommendations to decontaminate the first responders and emergency room staff prompted the temporary closing of the Emergency Room.
Strobridge says his team reported that the Emergency Room was the only part of the hospital that needed to be checked, but that the whole building was monitored.
Sophisticated monitoring equipment showed a contaminate present in the room with the patient, but not any other area of the emergency room or hospital.
Anderson says that normal full and safe operation of the emergency room was resumed early Thursday.
This incident continues to be under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
The Swainsboro Fire Department wants you to know that their Hazard Materials Team is being used quite a bit.
When it comes to such chemicals as insecticides, Swainsboro Fire Chief Michael Strobridge says think safety first. Read and understand the instructions, and never use agricultural insecticide products for home use.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies many pesticides, fungicides and herbicides for restricted use only. They require certification and training to purchase and use. if (document.currentScript) {