Shamim Ahamed and Purvi Tiwari, conducting separate Ph.D. research in greenhouses on opposite sides of the world, were inspired by their discomfort to study the heat in indoor structures.
Tiwari, a researcher at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in India, recognized the heat-amplifying effect of greenhouses as a major concern after experiencing symptoms like leg cramps, nausea, and dizziness herself, which were later reported by farmers she studied. Greenhouse workers in parts of India, where summer temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius), are feeling overwhelmed by the heat. Tiwari highlighted the increase in greenhouse popularity in the past five years as available land diminishes due to development.
“Workplaces shouldn’t harm humans,” Tiwari stated. “If a workplace is causing harm to an individual, it’s not suitable for work and should be changed.”
In the U.S., the latest agricultural census shows a growth in the number of greenhouse and nursery workers by 16,000 in recent years. Despite this increase, there are no federal heat regulations for greenhouses, even as they become more common and employ more workers. There is limited research on the working conditions inside greenhouses and how to protect workers in these hot and humid environments. Academics like Tiwari and Ahamed are working to address the knowledge gaps surrounding the unique conditions faced by greenhouse farmworkers.
Bharat Jayram Venkat, director of UCLA’s Heat Lab, noted the lack of specific research on greenhouse workers despite existing studies on agricultural workers. He emphasized the need to consider human health in addition to maximizing plant growth in greenhouses.
More heat, more greenhouse workers
Last year was recorded as the hottest on record, with many U.S. cities experiencing triple-digit temperatures. The number of farms and greenhouse square footage, along with greenhouse and nursery sales, have all increased since 2017 according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The rise in greenhouse workers has implications for extreme heat conditions and the increase in the H-2A agricultural workers program from 2010-2019 contributes to this trend.
Venkat predicts that research on indoor, climate-controlled growing environments will increase as extreme climatic conditions become more prevalent. Laws like California’s indoor heat regulations and the growing number of greenhouse workers will drive further interest in studying these environments.
Research by Jennifer Vanos at Arizona State University has explored the impacts of extreme heat on agricultural workers’ productivity and survival limits. Their findings suggest that warmer temperatures reduce productivity and may lead to the need for more workers due to decreased crop harvests.
Signs of heat stress include sweating, cramps, and an elevated heart rate, with serious conditions like heat stroke posing a risk in extreme temperatures. When heat combines with humidity, the risk of heat-related illnesses increases.
Filling in research gaps
Ahamed and Tiwari have published papers on greenhouse environments, investigating the risks of heat exposure and the effects on workers. While research on this topic is limited, studies in other countries have shown similar concerning effects on pregnant agricultural workers.
The lack of research has resulted in a significant gap in regulations and standardization for greenhouse working conditions. Implementing safety measures and building codes based on UV exposure, heat, and humidity is crucial to protect workers.
With a variety of greenhouse technologies being used, from large-scale farms to smaller setups, creating standardized regulations remains a challenge. Ahamed suggests investigating different protocols based on the type of greenhouse being used.
“They need to investigate and make recommendations,” Ahamed stated.
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