BRIEF: Oxnard firefighters respond to soil fumigant complaints

Sept. 17--Oxnard firefighters responded to calls from residents reporting eye irritation because of a fumigant in a field Sunday, officials said.

The incident was reported about 1:40 p.m., officials said. Fire crews responded to a field near East Hueneme and Olds roads.

Firefighters found that chloropicrin, a chemical used in agriculture as a soil fumigant, was leaking from plastic coverings on the field, officials said.

The plastic covering began expanding because of the hot weather, allowing the chemical to seep out, Battalion Chief John Colamarino said.

Firefighters turned the incident over to the company that makes the fumigant, Colamarino said.

The field was sprayed four days ago, he said.

Chloropicrin can be absorbed through inhalation, ingestion and the skin and can be severely irritating to the lungs, eyes and skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Copyright 2012 - Ventura County Star, Calif.