NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)August 20, 2026Hillsborough
Report links rising temperatures to increased pesticide risks for U.S. farmworkers
A report from the Union for Concerned Scientists details how rising temperatures increase the toxicity and absorption of pesticides, posing greater health risks to the nation's 2.4 million farmworkers. The findings highlight that heat stress, combined with inadequate protective equipment and limited regulatory oversight, contributes to thousands of annual cases of acute pesticide poisoning.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
Farmworkers face increased health risks from chemical exposure and heat-related illness, while current federal and state regulations vary significantly in their requirements for employer-provided safety measures.
Key Facts
- There are 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States.
- Heat increases the rate of chemical transformation of pesticides into more toxic compounds.
- Sweating and increased pore size from heat exposure can increase the body's absorption of pesticides.
- Protective PVC gloves can break down and become less effective at higher temperatures.
- 1,042 heat-related worker deaths were documented in the U.S. between 1992 and 2022.
- OSHA is currently developing a new federal heat standard for workplaces.
- OSHA currently relies on the 'general duty clause' of the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act to address heat hazards.
- California, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington have state-level heat protections.
- Florida passed legislation in 2024 banning local governments from enacting heat protections for outdoor workers.
- Chronic pesticide exposure is linked to cancer, depression, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Who's Mentioned
personJeannie Economos“Pesticide safety and environmental health project coordinator at the Farmworker ”personOmanjana Goswami“Scientist at the Union for Concerned Scientists.”organizationUnion for Concerned Scientists“Advocacy group that authored the report on pesticide and heat risks.”organizationOccupational Safety and Health Administration“Federal agency responsible for workplace safety standards.”