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State investigates string of birth defects

The babies were born to migrant workers who picked vegetables in chemically-treated fields.

IMMOKALEE - One baby was born without arms or legs, and another with a partially formed jaw. A girl without a nose and no visible sexual organs died days after birth.

The children were born to migrant workers picking crops in Florida's vegetable-growing region of Immokalee. Their employer and investigators are trying to determine whether pesticides caused the defects, or if they were the result of genetic or other reasons, a newspaper reported Sunday.

The children's Mexican mothers gave birth within the past four months. They said they lived within 200 feet of one another at the same labor camp when they became pregnant. A sign at the field said more than two dozen pesticides and herbicides are used there.

They worked into their pregnancies at other fields that used the same chemicals.

"People have mentioned to me that maybe this has to do with chemicals," said Francisca Herrera, 19, whose son Carlitos has no limbs. "But I really don't know anything about that. I would like to know."

The defects "may have nothing to do with pesticides, but we'll try to get to the facts," Dale Dubberly, the chief state official for pesticide investigation, told the Palm Beach Post.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency said studies have found an association between parents' exposure to pesticides and increased risks of their children having birth defects.

Chemical makers insist the products are safe for workers and consumers if used properly. The Immokalee field where all six parents said they worked is operated by Ag-Mart Produce Inc., based in Plant City. It produces the Santa Sweets brand.

"We care deeply about the health of our employees and take this concern extremely seriously," company president Don Long said.

"Santa Sweets has developed and instituted very detailed practices and procedures for our employees who handle or are exposed to crop protection materials," he said. "We take pride in our meeting or exceeding federal and state safety training regulations for every employee."

Between 1999 and 2003, Ag-Mart was cited three times by state inspectors for violations of pesticide regulations at other fields.

Under state law, doctors who think a medical condition was caused by pesticides must report it to authorities. State officials weren't notified of the Immokalee cases, and acknowledged the reporting system has problems.

"In all of 2004, we received only four such reports. In 2003, it was all of eight. I know it can't be accurate," said Kim Hainge, who is in charge of receiving state reports on pesticide-related medical conditions.

[Last modified March 14, 2005, 10:11:45]