Rising heat intensifies pesticide risks for millions of U.S. farmworkers
Research shows that hotter temperatures will worsen pesticide exposure for the 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States, increasing health risks and likely boosting pesticide use.
A growing body of research finds that climate-related heat will amplify pesticide hazards for the United States’ 2.4 million farmworkers. Higher temperatures stress workers, enlarging skin pores and increasing inhalation of airborne chemicals, while also raising evaporation rates that lead to greater pesticide application and faster chemical transformation into more toxic compounds. Omanjana Goswami of the Union for Concerned Scientists called the combined effect of heat and protective gear "awful."
The Union’s report, referencing EPA data, states that thousands experience acute pesticide poisoning each year, though many incidents remain undocumented and reporting differs across states. Jeannie Economos of the Farmworker Association of Florida emphasized that the affected labor pool is predominantly immigrant and people of color, describing them as "landless farmers." The analysis warns that warming may further expand pesticide use as pests and weeds expand their ranges.
Why it matters
Heat-related pesticide exposure threatens the health of millions of essential agricultural workers and could increase chemical use.
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