A Delaware family falls ill after their Caribbean vacation turned into a nightmare.
Health officials in the U.S. believe a powerful and banned pesticide sprayed at their resort could be to blame. A pesticide is a chemical used to repel, kill or control certain forms of plants or pests.
Nick Valencia has more.
--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--
THIS MORNING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AT THIS LUXURY HOTEL IN SAINT JOHNS IN THE U-S VIRGIN ISLANDS
AFTER A FAMILY OF FOUR ON VACATION FROM DELAWARE - WAS ALLEGEDLY POISONED BY METHYL BROMIDE... A DEADLY PESTICIDE COMMONLY USED IN AGRICULTURE -
THE COMPANY WHO RENTS OUT THE VILLA AT THE SIRENUSA RESORT TOLD C-N-N THE PEST CONTROL COMPANY TERMINIX FUMIGATED THE LOWER UNIT ON MARCH 18TH -- RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FAMILY'S STAY.
THE ODORLESS, NEARLY UNDETECTABLE GAS ATTACKS THE LUNG AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, CAUSING RESPIRATORY AND HEART FAILURE...
SO TOXIC IT'S BANNED FROM USE INDOORS WITHIN THE U-S.
EVEN THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION SAYS METHYL BROMIDE IS SO DESTRUCTIVE IT SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE THINNING OF THE EARTH'S STRATOSPHERIC OZONE LAYER
THE FATHER, STEVE ESMOND WAS FOUND IN A COMA WHILE HIS SONS - 14 AND 16 - AND THEIR MOTHER, THERESA DEVINE, WERE HAVING SEVERE SEIZURES ACCORDING TO THE FAMILY'S LAWYER…
THE PARENTS' CONDITION IMPROVED AFTER THE FAMILY WAS AIRLIFTED BACK TO THE U-S… THE MOTHER RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.
BUT THE ATTORNEY SAID ON SATURDAY BOTH OF THE BOYS REMAIN IN A COMA.
TERMINIX TOLD C-N-N IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY ARE QUOTE "LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER INTERNALLY AND COOPERATING WITH AUTHORITIES." AND THEY "JOIN THE COMMUNITY IN WISHING THEM A SPEEDY RECOVERY."
NICK VALENCIA, C-N-N NEW YORK
Video: Reducing Household Chemical Risks
Website: Fruits and Vegetables with Pesticide Residue
Website: Environmental Protection Agency, What is a Pesticide?
Website: National Pesticide Information Center, Types of Pesticides