Shamim Ahamed and Purvi Tiwari, who conducted Ph.D. research in greenhouses from different parts of the world, were inspired by the uncomfortable conditions they faced to study the heat inside these indoor structures.
Tiwari, a researcher at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in India, noticed the heat-amplifying effect of greenhouses, which became a major concern after experiencing symptoms like leg cramps, nausea, and dizziness that were later reported by the farmers she studied.
In India, where summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, greenhouse workers often feel suffocated inside. The increasing popularity of greenhouses in the past five years due to shrinking land availability has raised alarms about the impact on human health.
The latest agricultural census in the U.S. shows a growth in the number of greenhouse and nursery workers by 16,000 in recent years, despite the lack of federal heat regulations.
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There is limited research on the working conditions of greenhouse workers and how to ensure their safety in hot and humid environments. However, researchers like Tiwari and Ahamed are actively working to address these knowledge gaps.
Bharat Jayram Venkat, founding director of UCLA’s Heat Lab, highlighted the lack of specific research on greenhouses in the agricultural sector, focusing mostly on plant growth optimization.
Venkat anticipates a surge in research on indoor growing environments as climate conditions worsen, with laws like California’s indoor heat regulations driving interest in studying greenhouse workers.
Jennifer Vanos, an associate professor at Arizona State University, conducted research on the impact of extreme heat on agricultural workers’ productivity, suggesting that productivity decreases as temperatures rise.
Heat stress signs, such as heavy sweating and fast heart rates, pose health risks for workers in hot environments. Combining heat with humidity can further elevate the risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries.
Ahamed and Tiwari’s research shed light on the risks of heat exposure in greenhouses, emphasizing the need for safety measures and regulations to protect workers from the adverse effects of working in high temperatures.
The gaps in existing literature highlight the necessity for standardized regulations and building codes to safeguard the health and safety of greenhouse workers, addressing issues like UV exposure, heat stress, and humidity.
