A new study reveals that climate change-driven wildfires are subjecting farmworkers to hazardous air pollution, with many continuing to work in unsafe conditions out of economic necessity.
Dorany Pineda reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Farmworkers in Sonoma County, California, worked through dangerous wildfire conditions in 2020, inhaling toxic smoke with little protection.
- Researchers found that air quality monitors and emergency protocols failed to safeguard workers during the fires.
- Many farmworkers, especially those lacking legal status, face increased health risks without adequate protections or health coverage.
Key quote:
"We always expose ourselves to danger out of necessity, whether by fire or disaster, when the weather changes, when it’s hot or cold."
— Maria Salinas, farmworker
Why this matters:
As wildfires worsen with climate change, farmworkers—essential to the food supply—are increasingly vulnerable to health risks from toxic smoke exposure, highlighting the need for better protections as a matter of both food security and climate justice.
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