A young man born without limbs due to his mother’s pesticide exposure in agricultural fields highlights the ongoing health risks faced by farmworkers in the U.S.
Patricia Clarembaux, Federica Narancio, and Esther Poveda report for El País.
In short:
- Carlos Candelario was born without arms or legs after his mother was exposed to harmful pesticides while working on a farm, illustrating severe risks faced by agricultural workers.
- Investigations revealed that Ag-Mart used multiple pesticides known to cause birth defects but did not inform workers of the potential dangers.
- Despite regulations, many farmworkers still face exposure, and incidents often go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of awareness.
Key quote:
“I want people to understand that pesticides can have disastrous consequences.”
— Carlos Candelario
Why this matters:
Pesticide exposure remains a critical health concern for farmworkers, leading to severe birth defects and long-term health issues. Strengthening regulations and enforcement is crucial to protect these workers and their families from preventable harm.
