California Farmworkers Face Dual Threats of Heat and Pesticides

Every summer, California farmworkers endure extreme heat and daily pesticide exposure, a combination that current regulations fail to address. Farmworkers face 35 times the risk of dying from heat compared to other workers, and rising temperatures may intensify pesticide absorption and toxicity. Protective gear often worsens heat stress, leaving workers vulnerable to heat exhaustion, respiratory issues, neurological problems, and long-term health complications. Many lack access to health care, especially undocumented workers discouraged by restrictive policies.

Firsthand accounts underscore the dangers: one pregnant worker described severe dizziness, headaches, and nausea while laboring in 37-week heat. Although the California legislature has introduced bills to improve housing, pay, air quality, and labor protections, gaps remain in pesticide risk assessments and enforcement. Experts call on CalEPA and state occupational safety agencies to evaluate the combined impacts of heat and pesticides and establish enforceable standards, ensuring the health of workers and the stability of California’s agricultural economy.

14-10-2025