Jury Selection to Begin in International Pesticides Lawsuit

By Monica Galvan

Published on July 09, 2007

The lawsuits – involving banana plantation workers in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama – claim that the workers’ were left sterile after being exposed to the pesticide DBCP at plantations for Dole Fresh Fruit Co. and Standard Fruit Co. in the 1970s.

The lawsuits cite negligence and fraudulent concealment on the part of Dole for allegedly failing to warn workers of the chemical’s toxicity and allowing workers to drink and bathe in contaminated water at the plantations. The workers also claim they were not supplied with protective gear or clothing.

Responding to the lawsuit's allegations, a representative for Dow, one of the manufacturers of DBCP, said he was unaware of any widely accepted scientific studies that could be used to support the banana workers’ claims. He added that the workers rotated jobs often, so prolonged exposure was not likely.

The Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of the pesticide in the United States in 1979, saying that long-term exposure to DBCP reduces sperm count in addition to other health risks.

The verdict in these suits could spawn a new trend in the global economy, whereby cases involving multinational corporations are filed in the United States because U.S. juries are more likely to award large settlements.

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