Heat Crisis: Pregnant Farmworkers at Risk Amid Rising Temperatures

Sat Oct 25 2025 12:43:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As climate change intensifies heatwaves, pregnant agricultural workers face life-threatening risks in the field. This article sheds light on the dangers, personal stories, and the pressing need for better protection and healthcare access.

The rising temperatures due to climate change are disproportionately affecting pregnant agricultural workers, particularly in hot states like California and Florida. Personal stories reveal the physical strain and health risks posed by extreme heat conditions. While some protections exist, significant gaps in enforcement and healthcare access continue to expose these vulnerable workers. The intersection of immigration fears and workplace demands exacerbates the situation, urging a critical re-examination of current regulations and support systems.

One scorching day last summer, Clarisa Lugo found herself in distress while inspecting corn and soybean plants on a 300-acre farm in Illinois. As the heat index soared to 105 F (40.56 C), Lugo, who was eight months pregnant, experienced severe heat illness, throwing up and panting, her heart racing and headaches lingering for hours.

Agricultural workers are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, and pregnant individuals face even greater risks as they labor under harsh conditions. Many are low-income Latino immigrants who work in open fields or humid nurseries year-round, often without proper hydration or shade.

With the Trump administration's immigration enforcement prompting fear and caution, many workers hesitate to seek medical care or advocate for safer work environments, according to research and interviews conducted with agricultural workers.

The Associated Press reported on multiple pregnant farm workers, shedding light on their struggles under extreme heat. These workers, fearing reprisal, shared experiences of working in perilous conditions, with three remaining anonymous to protect their identities.

Temperature Rise in Major Agricultural States

In California, the agricultural sector employed over 893,000 workers in 2023. With temperatures increasing by nearly 3 F (1.67 C) since the early 20th century, the pressure on agricultural workers mounts. Similarly, Iowa and Florida have reported temperature increases that strain workers, particularly women who now represent a larger share of the workforce.

Heat exposure amplifies risks for not only miscarriages but also complications such as high blood pressure, low birth weight, and preterm births, resulting from the body’s increased effort to cool down during pregnancy.

Tragic Outcomes from Heat Exposure

A moving account from a Florida nursery worker highlights the severe consequences of heat exposure. Facing painful abdominal cramping, she believed physical labor combined with extreme heat contributed to her miscarriage. Another worker endured vomiting and fatigue that led to premature labor.

Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez tragically lost her life in 2008 due to heatstroke while working in a California vineyard, pointing to the urgent need for better protections for those laboring under extreme heat.

Legal Protections: A Patchwork at Best

Despite more than 30 U.S. states having laws mandating accommodations for pregnant workers, the lack of federal heat protections leaves many workers unprotected. Federal and state laws regarding heat safety vary significantly, with advocates calling for stricter enforcement and accountability.

Legislation passed in 2023 mandates that employers offer reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, but it remains unclear how effectively this will serve farmworkers, who often work in challenging conditions.

The Impact of Immigration Enforcement

Fear stemming from immigration crackdowns complicates access to healthcare for pregnant farmworkers, deterring them from seeking necessary prenatal care. Stories of patients avoiding medical consultations due to the fear of being detained highlight a growing crisis in maternal health.

Heightened Risks Due to Work and Home Conditions

Many farmworkers report inadequate access to water or restroom facilities, particularly during pregnancy, which can exacerbate their health challenges. Compounded by worries about speaking out against employers, many feel forced to continue working under unsafe conditions.

The effects of climate change do not only manifest in extreme heat but also in diminished opportunities for safe work. As heatwaves grow more intense and frequent, immediate action must be taken to ensure the safety and health of pregnant workers in agriculture.

“We can’t prevent temperatures from rising,” says Yunuen Ibarra of Líderes Campesinas, “but we can prevent farmworkers from dying or feeling sick due to heat-related illnesses.”