Indoor farming: a climate solution with hidden dangers for workers

Greenhouse workers face extreme heat and humidity, risking their health in structures designed to protect plants, not people.

Melina Walling and Dorany Pineda report for the Associated Press.

In short:

• Greenhouse and nursery workers are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, often exceeding 100°F, leading to heat-related illnesses.
• These workers lack adequate protections and breaks, making them vulnerable to heat stress, dizziness, and other health issues.
• Efforts to include greenhouses in indoor agriculture solutions need to account for better worker protections and enforcement.

Key quote:

"Many times we don’t leave to cool off for a short while. It’s not because we wouldn’t want to do it, but because we’re scared that they would dismiss us."

— Eulalia Mendoza, former greenhouse worker.

Why this matters:

This isn't just a labor issue; it's an environmental and public health crisis. With regulators slow to adapt and industry leaders often prioritizing profit over people, greenhouse workers are left in a perilous bind. Read more: “Dehumanizing” conditions for Michigan farmworkers.