POPLAR BLUFF - A Missouri Department of Agriculture investigation regarding two members of the National Guard and a resident reportedly sickened by spray from a crop duster in the spring of this year continues, officials say.
"A thorough investigation by the Department of Agriculture includes contacting and interviewing all involved parties, collecting samples, sending them to a lab for analysis" with two staff members reviewing the results, said Public Information Officer Sarah Alsager.
The department's Bureau of Pesticide Control, which is the investigating agency, did not offer a time frame on when the investigation would be complete.
"This particular investigation is still under review by staff," Alsager said, adding that the report will be released when the investigation is complete.
"I will make sure you get the final report when it is available," she said.
Two members of the Missouri National Guard were working on a culvert pipe in the Peppermint Creek area of northeast Butler County when they reported being contaminated from spray from a crop duster in the first incident that occurred in the morning hours of April 12.
The soldiers reported that in a short time they were affected by flu-like symptoms -- pain in joints, headaches, blurred vision and cold sweats.
Another individual reported that a plane flew over and dumped "poison" around his residence a month later, between 10 a.m. and noon on May 12.
The resident also reported flu-like symptoms -- nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The person reported the health of plants and pets has been in decline