Although agricultural workers have elevated risks of heat-related illnesses (HRI), pregnant farmworkers exposed to extreme heat face additional health risk, including poor pregnancy health and birth outcomes. Qualitative data from five focus groups with 35 female Hispanic and Haitian nursery and fernery workers provide details about the women's perceptions of HRI and pregnancy. Participants believe that heat exposure can adversely affect general, pregnancy, and fetal health, yet feel they lack control over workplace conditions and that they lack training about these specific risks. These data are being used to develop culturally appropriate educational materials emphasizing health promoting and protective behaviors during pregnancy.

Adaptation of the community health worker model for this setting improved injury prevention practices and may have relevance for similar agricultural settings.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of field-based biomonitoring of heat-related illness (HRI) phenomena in Florida farmworkers. We determined feasibility through participant interviews regarding acceptability, data capture, recruitment and retention, and observed barriers and challenges to implementation. Methods Study participants were employed in fernery operations in northeast Central Florida where ornamental ferns are grown and harvested in a seasonally high heat environment. In this pilot, a total of 43 farmworkers participated during Summers 2012 and 2013 and measurements included: body core temperature, heart rate, energy expenditure, urine and blood osmolality, and self-reported HRI symptoms. Results Data capture was 90%. Participants reported that the study methods were non-obtrusive to their work, and that they were comfortable with study measures. Conclusions These results open possibilities for characterizing heat-related illness utilizing physiologic biomonitoring in vulnerable occupational groups.

Results showed that perceived pesticide exposure did not correspond to actual metabolite levels within differing agricultural subpopulations.

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