Pesticide dangers increase with rising temperatures

As climate change leads to higher temperatures, pesticides evaporate faster, increasing the risk of toxic exposure for farmworkers and nearby communities.

Siri Chilukuri reports for Mother Jones.


In short:

  • Extreme heat causes pesticides to evaporate more quickly, leading to increased airborne pesticide drift, which can affect communities miles away.
  • The EPA plans to include pesticide drift in its guidelines for approving new products, aiming to mitigate health risks from drift-related exposure.
  • Farmworkers, often immigrants, face heightened risks as they may avoid reporting exposure due to job and immigration status vulnerabilities.

Key quote:

"Now that it’s getting hotter, there’s maybe more potential for things to change, or be less predictable."

— Emily Marquez, senior scientist at the Pesticide Action Network

Why this matters:

Climate change exacerbates pesticide drift, posing a serious health threat to farmworkers and nearby communities. Understanding and regulating pesticide behavior in high heat is crucial to protect those most vulnerable to exposure.

Related EHN coverage:

a group of children standing next to each other in a black and white photo

‘Leaving the world’s poorest behind’: Nearly 900 million poor people face climate shocks

Climate change and poverty are increasingly intertwined, with hundreds of millions of people enduring multiple simultaneous hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, and air pollution.

A dark gray office building with the words International Bank on the side

Banking alliance aimed at limiting fossil fuel investments collapses

The U.N.-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance, formed to align global finance with climate goals, has disbanded after major banks pulled out amid political pushback and rising fossil fuel investments.

A view of the north coast of the United States with the Pacific Ocean to the right

Mysterious 'warm blob' breaks records in the North Pacific Ocean

The north Pacific Ocean has recorded its hottest summer on record, with sea surface temperatures soaring far above previous highs. Scientists say the extreme marine heatwave may be linked to reduced air pollution from shipping and industry — and could even influence Europe’s winter weather.

An illustration of an electric vehicle with green grass for the body of the car

How EVs can fix the grid and lower your electric bill

A new pilot project in Maryland is testing how electric vehicles can feed energy back into the grid, helping utilities manage demand, lower costs, and boost renewable power reliability.

green trees and mountains near lake during daytime

Oil and gas companies used banned toxic chemicals near the Rocky Mountains

Several Colorado oil and gas companies used prohibited chemicals, including a known carcinogen, in fracking near the Rocky Mountains, violating state law aimed at protecting public health and the environment.

An illustration of a glass bottle floating in water with the word HELP inside of it.
Credit: Rodion Kutsaiev/Unsplash+

FEMA cuts disaster aid, leaving states fending for themselves

President Trump has said he wants to eventually shift the burden of disaster relief and recovery onto states. It’s already happening.
Solar power panels on a roof with wind turbines and powerlines behind
Credit: Copyright: kckate16/BigStock Photo ID: 478351339

US Energy Department's $8B kill list hits major grid projects

With utility bills rising nationwide, the U.S. Department of Energy is nixing federal cash for projects that would bring more power to the central U.S.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.