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” despite drinking water and putting ice on her body, she recalled.
Agricultural workers are already among the most vulnerable to extreme heat, and pregnant workers are at greater risk as temperatures rise because of climate change. Many in the U.S. are low-income Latino immigrants who toil under the sizzling sun or in humid nurseries open year round. Heat exposure has been linked to various risks for pregnant individuals, and while protections exist, experts maintain that enforcement is lacking and more safeguards are needed.
Compounding these risks is the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which has left many immigrants hesitant to seek medical and maternal care. Interviews with advocates and healthcare providers reveal that workers often fear retribution if they assert their rights or advocate for safer work environments.
The Associated Press interviewed four agricultural workers who recounted experiences of working in extreme heat while pregnant. Three spoke under the condition of anonymity due to their immigration status or fear of employer backlash.
Temperature Rise in Key Agricultural States
California, a major agricultural producer, employed over 893,000 agricultural workers in 2023. Iowa, another leading state, offers more than 385,000 jobs in agriculture, according to a 2024 study. Since the start of the 20th century, California temperatures have risen nearly 3 F (1.67 C), with seven of the past eight years being the warmest recorded.
Even slight increases in temperature can significantly impact agricultural workers' health. A study found that agricultural workers have over 35 times the risk of heat-related deaths compared to their counterparts in other industries.
Lugo and her baby ultimately fared well, but not all workers are so fortunate. As one nursery worker in Florida expressed, “I’ve wanted to leave this work,” but “I have to fight for my children.”
Dangers of Heat and Exertion
A past experience recounted by a Florida nursery worker highlights the significant dangers present. While working, she began experiencing abdominal cramping and later lost her baby, attributing this tragedy to the combination of intense physical labor and heat exposure.
Pregnancy heightens the body's challenge in regulating heat, which can lead to dehydration, heat illness, and an elevated risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriages and stillbirths. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that even brief heat exposure can lead to severe health complications.
Ambiguous Protections for Farmworkers
No federal laws specifically addressing heat protection exist in the U.S., although some states like California have enacted their own measures. In general, awareness and enforcement remain insufficient, creating vulnerabilities for workers. The recent 2023 Pregnant Workers Fairness Act aims to provide reasonable accommodations, but its effectiveness, especially in agriculture, remains questionable.
Impact of Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have exacerbated challenges for pregnant workers seeking care. Many are deterred by fears of detention, complicating their access to necessary healthcare services. This ongoing fear limits the ability of farmworkers to access prenatal care, often leading to critical delays.
Addressing Risk Factors
Farmworkers are often reluctant to demand workplace improvements, such as adequate shade and breaks, due to fears of job loss or retaliation from employers. Situations like long walks to access portable toilets only amplify their struggles, especially during pregnancy.
As climate change worsens, the risks associated with heat exposure for farmworkers will only increase. Effective measures and enforcement are critical to safeguarding the health of pregnant workers and their unborn children.
