Heat Makes Pesticides More Dangerous, Study Warns
Part of composite article Heatwaves Are Cooking the Global Food System — And Prices Are Already Spiking View full article →
New research shows that rising temperatures significantly amplify the health risks of pesticides for farmworkers. As the climate heats up, the combination of high heat and chemical exposure creates a greater danger than either factor alone. The study highlights that hotter conditions can increase the absorption of toxic chemicals through the skin and into the bloodstream, while also raising the risk of heat stress. This dual threat puts agricultural workers—who spend long hours in direct sun and in contact with treated crops—at heightened risk. Experts urge stricter safety guidelines that account for temperature, not just chemical levels, to protect those who harvest our food.