Research Aims to Safeguard Farmworkers from Rising Heat Stress

Sat Oct 25 2025 11:45:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amidst soaring temperatures and climate change concerns, researchers are investigating how farmworkers' safety can be improved through understanding heat stress levels specific to farming routines and environments.

In California's Imperial Valley, farmworkers face extreme heat while harvesting crops, working tirelessly under high temperatures. Researchers from San Diego State University aim to address the health impacts of heat stress on these laborers. Their ongoing study collects critical data, including body temperatures and environmental factors, to design effective interventions and inform policy changes that can better protect this vulnerable workforce. As temperatures rise, timely action is vital to ensure the safety and health of farmworkers.

In the summers, the sky is jet black when Raul Cruz arrives at this Imperial Valley sugarcane field to start his day. He chops, cleans, and bundles the crop, working through the rising sun and extreme heat typical of the California desert, where temperatures can soar into the triple digits.

“We just have to because we need to beat the heat,” said Cruz, who’s worked here for 15 years. They finish work by 9 or 10 a.m. to avoid heat stroke risks, but when the heat starts creeping up around 8 a.m., “mentally, it’s stressful,” adds Cruz.

This challenging climate not only fuels California's agricultural boom but also poses serious dangers to farmworkers. Rising temperatures, worsened by greenhouse gas emissions, have created an urgent situation prompting researchers at San Diego State University to investigate the health implications for those laboring in these extreme conditions. Their research focuses on understanding heat stress and identifying heat islands in rural areas, anticipating interventions that may reduce these effects.

“Workers could potentially be dying or having some serious issues,” explained Nicolas Lopez-Galvez, the project leader and assistant professor at SDSU. “It’s better to start acting sooner.”

The mission is clear: Protect farmworkers by collecting year-round data to map their heat exposure in relation to specific crops, seasons, and working conditions. High-tech body sensors monitor their core temperatures and heart rates, while environmental monitors track outdoor conditions, providing critical information about heat stress levels.

Over the last couple of years, the team has analyzed data from around 300 farmworkers; the findings are aiding in constructing evidence-based guidelines aimed at reducing heat-related illnesses within this demographic. Current California heat regulations exist but rarely receive rigorous enforcement.

Lopez-Galvez emphasized, “We realized that farmworkers are not getting enough rest breaks, and also there are no clear policy guidelines regarding heat-related rest breaks.” These insights are expected to influence policy adjustments that enhance working standards for farmworkers in various agricultural setups.

The research seeks to identify how extreme temperatures, exceeding state safety thresholds, and varied labor tasks significantly impact farmworkers' health during heightened heat periods.

With drastic shifts observed in seasonal weather patterns—with temperatures rising three degrees Fahrenheit since the start of the 20th century—the urgency to regulate working conditions intensifies. Recent data indicates that Southern California is warming at double the pace of Northern regions, conferring additional risks to farmworkers who make invaluable contributions to one of the country’s most critical agricultural regions.

“This (heat) can cause a lot of harm to their health,” remarked Ana Solorio, an organizer with the advocacy group Líderes Campesinas, recalling her past experiences working in similar weather conditions. She expressed her preference for winter harvesting months, citing unbearable summer temperatures in the Coachella Valley.

As researchers continue their work, they aim to expand their studies beyond California's Imperial Valley into neighboring regions, hoping their findings will lay the groundwork for a safer and healthier work environment amidst rising climate challenges.