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Agricultural workers, designated as "essential" at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, work in harsh labor conditions, and now have the added challenge of continuing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess agricultural workers' COVID-19 related history, employer-based safety measures, individual preventive practices, and COVID-19 vaccination uptake. A questionnaire study was conducted among agricultural workers in Central Florida about COVID-19 during the month of June 2020 and again in July 2021. Among 92 agricultural workers in June 2020, 47% were obese; 11% had had a COVID-19 nasal test; 87% were able to social distance at work and 34% reported employer provided face masks; 15% reported not willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine and 25% were unsure. 40% could self-isolate if they contracted COVID-19. In a follow-up visit in July 2021, 53% of participants reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Agricultural workers are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to existing health risk factors and lack of essential protective resources. Occupational health protections social safety net programs are urgently needed to prevent infections in vulnerable workers, and reduce community spread, and increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

There is a limited understanding of how toxic exposures to agrichemicals vary relative to international migration over the life course. A life history calendar (LHC) was piloted to explore sequences of agrichemical exposure relative to international migration. LHCs were administered to 41 foreign born individuals from Mexico and Central America who had agricultural work experience during their lifetime and who were living in South Florida. Social sequence analysis was used to explore occupation-by-agrichemical events relative to migration. A three-cluster solution was used to classify low, moderate, and high lifetime exposure sequences. The odds of any perceived effects of agrichemicals on the body increased with time prior to migration in the moderate and high exposure sequence clusters and continued to increase 20% with each year following migration in the moderate exposure cluster. Workers with high lifetime agrichemical exposures prior to migrating internationally showed lower likelihoods of a perceived effect on the body following migration despite continued exposure. Further research on instrument validity is warranted.

Globally, there is increasing recognition that agricultural workers are at risk for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKD u). Recurrent heat exposure, physical exertion, dehydration, muscle damage, and inflammation are hypothesized to contribute to the development of CKD u, but the relative importance of these processes and the interactions among them remain unclear. Moreover, there is a need to identify biomarkers that could distinguish individuals who are at greatest risk for kidney damage to target preventative interventions for CKD u. In this study, we evaluated dehydration and markers of inflammation, muscle damage, and renal function in agricultural workers at a non-workday baseline assessment. Urine specific gravity and kidney function were measured before and after work shifts on three subsequent days, and heat index, core body temperature, and heart rate were monitored during the work shifts. A combination of direct comparisons and machine learning algorithms revealed that reduced levels of uromodulin and sodium in urine and increased levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in serum were indicative of dehydration at baseline, and that dehydration, high body mass index, reduced urine uromodulin, and increased serum interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein at baseline were predictive of acute kidney injury on subsequent workdays. Our findings suggest a method for identifying agricultural workers at greatest risk for kidney injury and reveal potential mechanisms responsible for this process, including pathways overlapping in dehydration and kidney injury. These results will guide future studies confirming these mechanisms and introducing interventions to protect kidney health in this vulnerable population.

Life-history calendars (LHCs) can produce retrospective data regarding numerous events, exposures, and sequences that have occurred across participants’ lifespans. In this mixed-quantitative-and-qualitative-methods study, processes of LHC administration were evaluated in two populations experiencing health disparities: foreign-born agricultural workers (n = 41) and Indigenous people who used injection drugs (IPWIDS) (n = 40). LHC administrator and participant perspectives were elicited during follow-up survey activities. In both agricultural workers and IPWIDs, over half of participants reported that the LHC made it easier to remember things about the past, and participant age was associated with cumulative experience in different domains of interest. Qualitative findings suggested that data-collector training and the development of concise interview guides are critical for improving LHC data quality. Participants described ethical themes, including utilitarian, cathartic, and reflective aspects, of LHC participation. Future iterations of the LHC may benefit from providing free-form and open-ended spaces for participants to reflect on the LHC activity following LHC administration.

Introduction: Agricultural workers perform intense labor outside in direct sunlight and in humid environmental conditions exposing them to a high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). To implement effective cooling interventions in occupational settings, it is important to consider workers’ perceptions. To date, an analysis of agricultural workers’ experience and perception of cooling devices used in the field while working has not been published. Methods: Qualitatively data from 61 agricultural workers provided details of their perceptions and experiences with cooling interventions. Results: The participants in the bandana group reported the bandana was practical to use at work and did not interfere with their work routine. Cooling vest group participants agreed that the vest was effective at cooling them, but the practicality of using the vest at work was met with mixed reviews. Conclusion: The findings of this qualitative study support and extend existing research regarding personal cooling and heat prevention research interventions with vulnerable occupational groups. Personal cooling gear was well received and utilized by the agricultural workers. Sustainable heat prevention studies and governmental protection strategies for occupational heat stress are urgently needed to reduce the risk of heat-related morbidity, mortality, and projected climate change health impacts on outdoor workers.

Background Adverse health effects among agricultural workers due to chronic heat exposure have been characterized in the literature as not only due to high ambient temperatures but also due to intensive manual labor in hot and humid conditions. The aim of this study was to use biomonitoring equipment to examine the effectiveness of selected cooling devices at preventing agricultural workers from exceeding the core body temperature threshold of 38.0°C (Tc38) and attenuating heat-related illness symptoms. Methods A convenience sample of 84 agricultural workers in Florida was randomized to one of four groups: (a) no intervention, clothing as usual; (b) cooling bandana; (c) cooling vest; and (d) both the cooling bandana and cooling vest. Biomonitoring equipment worn by the participants included core body temperature monitor and an accelerometer to capture physical activity. Findings A total of 78 agricultural workers completed one intervention workday trial. Compared with the control group, the bandana group had lower odds of exceeding Tc38 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7, 90% confidence interval [CI] = [0.2, 3.2]) and the vest group had higher odds of exceeding Tc38 (OR = 1.8, 90% CI = [0.4, 7.9]). The simultaneous use of cooling vest and bandana showed an effect little different from the control group (OR = 1.3, 90% CI = [0.3, 5.6]). Conclusion/Application to Practice This is the first field-based study to examine cooling intervention among agricultural workers in the United States using biomonitoring equipment. This study found that using a bandana while working in a hot agricultural environment has the potential to be protective against exceeding the recommended Tc38 threshold.

Globally, farmworkers are among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. Longstanding social and spatial inequalities allowed COVID-19 to spread unchecked, propelling a ...

To estimate the impact of hydration interventions on postworkday hydration status and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).Thirty agricultural workers were first monitored on a workday without any interventions. On the intervention workday, the same workers were randomized to one of two groups: 169 ounces (oz) (5 L) of plain water (n = 16) or 169 oz (5L) of water with electrolytes (n = 14).No participants in the electrolyte group had an estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the end of the workday of less than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 or met the criteria for AKI in comparison to the water group (eGFR90: 15%; AKI: 23%) or the control group (eGFR90: 28%; AKI: 18%).The study showed that drinking water with electrolytes may lower the risk for development of AKI among agricultural workers.

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r = 0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.

There is a limited understanding of how toxic exposures to agrichemicals vary relative to international migration over the life course. A life history calendar (LHC) was piloted to explore sequences of agrichemical exposure relative to international migration. LHCs were administered to 41 foreign born individuals from Mexico and Central America who had agricultural work experience during their lifetime and who were living in South Florida. Social sequence analysis was used to explore occupation-by-agrichemical events relative to migration. A three-cluster solution was used to classify low, moderate, and high lifetime exposure sequences. The odds of any perceived effects of agrichemicals on the body increased with time prior to migration in the moderate and high exposure sequence clusters and continued to increase 20% with each year following migration in the moderate exposure cluster. Workers with high lifetime agrichemical exposures prior to migrating internationally showed lower likelihoods of a perceived effect on the body following migration despite continued exposure. Further research on instrument validity is warranted.

OBJECTIVES To determine the comparative effectiveness of two EPA-approved WPS training strategies. METHODS Farmworkers in GA and FL blinded to content before training (N = 339) were randomly assigned to either a video training (n = 121) or a culturally tailored, facilitator-led training (n = 136), or an attention-placebo training focused on heat-related illness (n = 82). Data were obtained immediately before and after training and 3 months after training. RESULTS Both active interventions increased pesticide knowledge. At the 3-month follow-up, participants in the EPA video lost acquired knowledge. Those in the facilitator-led group retained acquired knowledge and showed greater pesticide safety behavior. CONCLUSIONS Standardized training through video improves short-term knowledge, but it is not retained and unable to support desired behavior to reduce pesticide exposure among farmworkers. A culturally tailored, facilitator-led training is more effective in achieving the spirit of the WPS regulation.

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-3-brn-10.1177_10998004211016070 for Inflammation-Related Factors Identified as Biomarkers of Dehydration and Subsequent Acute Kidney Injury in Agricultural Workers by Madelyn C. Houser, Valerie Mac, Daniel J. Smith, Roxana C. Chicas, Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli, Joan D. Flocks, Lisa Elon, Malú Gámez Tansey, Jeff M. Sands, Linda McCauley and Vicki S. Hertzberg in Biological Research For Nursing

Background The purpose of this systematic review is to examine cooling intervention research in outdoor occupations, evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions, and offer recommendations for future studies. This review focuses on outdoor occupational studies conducted at worksites or simulated occupational tasks in climatic chambers. Methods This systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify original research on intervention studies published in peer-reviewed journals that aimed at reducing heat stress or heat-related illness from January 2000 to August 2020. Results A systematic search yielded a total of 1042 articles, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria. Occupations with cooling intervention studies included agriculture (n = 5), construction (n = 5), industrial workers (n = 4), and firefighters (n = 7). The studies focused on multiple types of cooling interventions cooling gear (vest, bandanas, cooling shirts, or head-cooling gel pack), enhanced heat dissipation clothing, forearm or lower body immersion in cold water, water dousing, ingestion of a crushed ice slush drink, electrolyte liquid hydration, and modified Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommendations of drinking water and resting in the shade. Conclusion Current evidence indicates that using multiple cooling gears along with rest cycles may be the most effective method to reduce heat-related illness. Occupational heat-related illnesses and death may be mitigated by targeted cooling intervention and workplace controls among workers of vulnerable occupational groups and industries.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-whs-10.1177_2165079920976524 for Cooling Interventions Among Agricultural Workers: A Pilot Study by Roxana Chicas, Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli, Lisa Elon, Madeleine K. Scammell, Kyle Steenland, Vicki Hertzberg and Linda McCauley in Workplace Health & Safety

Migration stories abound in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican history. After the Conquest, indigenous groups continued to migrate as part of Spanish imperial expansive and within the cultural bounds of their own migratory tradition. In spite of state consolidation, people of Mesoamerica have continued moving between borders regardless of how they identify themselves. As these migrant groups have encountered hostility in the U.S. and Mexico, in recent history they have become activists, challenging traditional definitions of what an indigenous community is. A theme in their activism is a migration narrative that echoes those used by their ancestors from pre-Hispanic to present times.

Arguing from the overall settlement plan and the form of buildings, the authors present a persuasive case that the Late Postclassic city of Tlaxcallan and its near neighbour Tizatlan constitute the central elements of a republican state. This is an unusual political prescription, not only in Mesoamerica but further afield.

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