Jury fines DuPont Pioneer $500K for contaminating Kauai homes with toxic dust

(NaturalNews) Clandestine pesticide tests that have been taking place on the island of Kauai are finally being revealed and revoked in a federal court of law. DuPont Pioneer has been experimenting with genetic material and agricultural chemicals for more than 15 years in Kauai, exploiting the beautiful landscape of Hawaii.

The dust escape pollution from DuPont's experimental fields has drifted to neighboring properties for years, sickening residents. Residents have long complained about red dust that is emanating from DuPont's Waimea Research Center and drifting onto their property. Ten households from the neighboring community of Waimea banded together in 2011 and 2012 to file lawsuits against the seed company. More than 150 residents have joined the suit. They brought forth evidence proving that DuPont had trespassed and polluted their property.

The evidence found DuPont Pioneer guilty

This is the first time ever that a jury has found an agricultural chemical company guilty of trespassing and polluting other people's property. The jury ruled that DuPont must pay $500,000 to the residents affected in Kauai, Hawaii. However, the courtroom did not allow any discussion on the health and environmental impacts of pesticide spraying. The case centered on dust pollution escape alone and didn't discuss its negative health effects. Although DuPont had experimented with chemicals on the island since 1998, they were only found guilty for three years of damage from 2009 to 2011.

The ruling was focused solely on property damage. The residents affected were prevented from enjoying their property because of the dust pollution. The ruling found that DuPont failed to follow Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMP). The GAAMP are established in the "Right to Farm Act" that protects farms from urban encroachment. In this case, the GAAMP protected innocent residents of Kauai from a foul wave of chemical-laden dust emanating from a ruthless, encroaching DuPont corporation.

Five chemical companies experimenting with 80 different pesticides

According to Babes Against Biotech, who reported on the court proceedings, at least $507,090 was awarded to the first 15 of the 150-plus residents who sued DuPont Pioneer. The court proceedings also revealed that five chemical companies had operated on the island and experimented with 80 different pesticides.

Babes Against Biotech writes, "The average settlement per person awarded damages was $33,806 per person or $56,343 per household. Since it was a bellwether trial, only 15 plaintiffs (making ten households) took part in the trial portion, and the judgments awarded will be used in negotiations for a mass settlement for over 150 people. Though it does not address the health and environmental impacts, which are our greatest concern, today is a huge victory in the courts for all the people of Hawaii in Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu who are affected by the chemical test fields. This is the first class action lawsuit against the chemical companies regarding the pesticide dust and we doubt it will be the last. We do however, expect an appeal from the DuPont/Pioneer legal team who spent most of the case [engaging in] giggling exchanges and cracking quiet jokes to each other in the courtroom."

They also report that the case is a bellwether trial that could ultimately cost DuPont Pioneer $5 million if all 150 residents are to receive the average settlement of $33,806.

In essence, this could be the beginning of DuPont's fallout as the corporation is exposed for its devilry and harm against the land and the people.

Sources:

http://gmwatch.org