One hot day last summer, Clarisa Lugo was inspecting and counting corn and soybean plants in the middle of a 300-acre farm field in Illinois when she started throwing up and panting. Her heart raced, she stopped sweating, and a pounding headache didn’t go away for hours.
The heat index — a blend of temperature and humidity — had hit 105°F (40.56°C), and Lugo, who was eight months pregnant, was suffering from heat illness. “I remember that day it was hard for me to go back to normal,” she said, despite drinking water and applying ice on her body.
Agricultural workers are already among the most vulnerable to extreme heat, and pregnant workers are increasingly at risk as temperatures rise due to climate change. Many in the U.S. are low-income Latino immigrants who labor under the intense sun or in humid nurseries throughout the year. Heat exposure is linked to numerous risks for pregnant individuals, and while existing protections exist, experts assert that better enforcement is necessary alongside additional safeguards.
Compounding these concerns is the fear induced by immigration crackdowns, making individuals reluctant to seek medical or maternal care. Reports indicate growing anxiety about potential repercussions for advocating safe working conditions.
The Associated Press interviewed multiple agricultural workers about their experiences of working in severe heat while pregnant. Several spoke anonymously fearing employer reprisals or immigration issues.
Temperature Surge in Major Agricultural States
California, one of the nation’s leading agricultural states, employed over 893,000 agricultural workers in 2023. Since the start of the 20th century, California's temperatures have risen nearly 3°F (1.67°C)—with seven of the past eight years registering as the hottest on record. Meanwhile, Iowa and Florida have also experienced notable temperature increases, which pose additional challenges for agricultural workers.
Even minor temperature increment can significantly impact health. A study found that agricultural workers experience over 35 times the risk of heat-related deaths compared to other sectors, and deaths in this area are likely underreported.
Lugo and her baby ultimately fared well, but others have not been so fortunate. As expressed by one Florida nursery worker: “I’ve wanted to leave this work, but I have to fight for my children.”
Heat Dangers and Physical Strain
Numerous accounts detail tragic outcomes linked to heat exposure and strenuous labor. One worker recalls losing her baby after working in a Florida nursery while dealing with intense heat and heavy physical lifting. Another described severe nausea and dehydration that resulted in a preterm birth.
Extreme heat presents unique challenges for pregnant individuals, as the body must exert extra effort to regulate temperature. Medical data indicates various adverse outcomes, including miscarriages, stillbirths, and heat-related serious maternal health issues.
Tragically, the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to heat have culminated in preventable deaths. The 2008 death of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, a 17-year-old farmworker who collapsed from heatstroke, incited legislative changes in California aimed at safeguarding workers from extreme conditions.
Challenges of Regulating Heat Exposure
Presently, there are no federal heat safety regulations in the U.S., although various states have initiated their protocols. In states like California, advocates argue existing laws lack adequate enforcement to ensure worker safety.
Most recent federal legislation aims to assist pregnant workers, mandating accommodations unless they cause undue hardship on employers. However, farmworkers continue to express concerns over insufficient legal protections.
Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Care Access
The climate of fear surrounding immigration enforcement drastically affects access to healthcare for vulnerable communities. Pregnant workers frequently face barriers to obtaining necessary care, as many lack transportation and cannot take time off from work due to financial constraints.
Compounded by systemic inequities, these challenges render many agricultural workers increasingly reluctant to advocate for their well-being—fearing reprisal from employers or contact with immigration authorities.
As climate change fuels longer and hotter heatwaves, without robust protections and enforcement, the toll on pregnant farmworkers and their unborn children is likely to grow. Advocates assert that preventative measures can alleviate risks and save lives, but these solutions necessitate a concerted effort from both policymakers and the agriculture industry.
