Rural Agricultural Health and Safety – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Agricultural Health and Safety.
Essentially Unprotected: A Focus on Farmworker Health Laws and Policies Addressing Pesticide Exposure and Heat-Related Illness
Report highlights laws and policies that protect farmworkers from heat- and pesticide-related illnesses. Breaks down both federal and state laws in place to protect farmworkers and makes recommendations.
Author(s): Laurie J. Beyranevand, Lihlani Skipper Nelson, Sarah Goldman, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Center for a Livable Future, Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
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Report highlights laws and policies that protect farmworkers from heat- and pesticide-related illnesses. Breaks down both federal and state laws in place to protect farmworkers and makes recommendations.
Author(s): Laurie J. Beyranevand, Lihlani Skipper Nelson, Sarah Goldman, et al.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Center for a Livable Future, Vermont Law School's Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
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COVID-19 Outbreak Among Farmworkers — Okanogan County, Washington, May–August 2020
Examined risk factors for COVID-19 among fruit grower employees working in orchard and warehouse settings in Okanogan County, Washington. Looked at the impact of housing, comparing those living in the community to those living in congregate temporary housing. Also looked at infection rates by job role.
Author(s): James S. Miller, Michelle Holshue, Tia K.H. Dostal, Laura P. Newman, Scott Lindquist
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(17), 617-621
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Examined risk factors for COVID-19 among fruit grower employees working in orchard and warehouse settings in Okanogan County, Washington. Looked at the impact of housing, comparing those living in the community to those living in congregate temporary housing. Also looked at infection rates by job role.
Author(s): James S. Miller, Michelle Holshue, Tia K.H. Dostal, Laura P. Newman, Scott Lindquist
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(17), 617-621
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 in Rural America: Impact on Farms & Agricultural Workers
Fact sheet highlights the impact of COVID-19 on American farms, farmworkers, and rural areas broadly. Details information about protective equipment, housing, and unemployment benefits, among other factors.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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Fact sheet highlights the impact of COVID-19 on American farms, farmworkers, and rural areas broadly. Details information about protective equipment, housing, and unemployment benefits, among other factors.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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Extreme Weather Events - Perspectives & Safety Impacts in Agriculture
Highlights the experiences of agricultural workers and employers on the effect of extreme weather on the health and wellness of agricultural workers. Discusses the challenges and precautions of working in extreme heat, dust, and wildfires, among other elements.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
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Highlights the experiences of agricultural workers and employers on the effect of extreme weather on the health and wellness of agricultural workers. Discusses the challenges and precautions of working in extreme heat, dust, and wildfires, among other elements.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
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Pesticide Exposure and Incident Thyroid Cancer Among Male Pesticide Applicators in Agricultural Health Study
Analyzed 53,096 male pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina from the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) for incidences of thyroid cancer. Participants were surveyed at enrollment in the study between 1993 and 1997 and then interviewed again between 1999 and 2005. Data show incidences of thyroid cancer with a break down of age, state, production type, and more. Also shows association between thyroid cancer risk and long-term use of pesticides.
Author(s): Catherine C. Lerro, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Curt T. DellaValle, et al.
Citation: Environmental International 146 (2021), 106187
Date: 01/2021
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Analyzed 53,096 male pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina from the Agricultural Health Study (AHS) for incidences of thyroid cancer. Participants were surveyed at enrollment in the study between 1993 and 1997 and then interviewed again between 1999 and 2005. Data show incidences of thyroid cancer with a break down of age, state, production type, and more. Also shows association between thyroid cancer risk and long-term use of pesticides.
Author(s): Catherine C. Lerro, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Curt T. DellaValle, et al.
Citation: Environmental International 146 (2021), 106187
Date: 01/2021
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Safety Guidelines for Youth Operating Farm Equipment
Report highlights safety measures for youth ages 15-17 operating farm equipment. Details information on farm equipment hazards and risks for young workers, as well as federal and state regulations. Presents guidelines for the safe use of various forms of farm equipment by young workers.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety
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Report highlights safety measures for youth ages 15-17 operating farm equipment. Details information on farm equipment hazards and risks for young workers, as well as federal and state regulations. Presents guidelines for the safe use of various forms of farm equipment by young workers.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety
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A Look at Workplace Safety in Agriculture
Data brief illustrates workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting jobs in 2018. Breaks down data by event or exposure, such as falls, slips, trips, contact with objects and equipment, and exposure to harmful substances or environments, among others.
Citation: The Economics Daily
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Data brief illustrates workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting jobs in 2018. Breaks down data by event or exposure, such as falls, slips, trips, contact with objects and equipment, and exposure to harmful substances or environments, among others.
Citation: The Economics Daily
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Dicamba Use and Cancer Incidence in the Agricultural Health Study: An Updated Analysis
Highlights a study on the connection between colon and lung cancers in farmers and farmworkers and use of the herbicide dicamba. Draws data from the Agricultural Health Study and breaks it down by age, crops/animals produced, and other pesticides used, among other measures.
Author(s): Catherine C Lerro, Jonathan N Hofmann, Gabriella Andreotti, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Epidemiology, 49(4), 1326-1337
Date: 08/2020
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Highlights a study on the connection between colon and lung cancers in farmers and farmworkers and use of the herbicide dicamba. Draws data from the Agricultural Health Study and breaks it down by age, crops/animals produced, and other pesticides used, among other measures.
Author(s): Catherine C Lerro, Jonathan N Hofmann, Gabriella Andreotti, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Epidemiology, 49(4), 1326-1337
Date: 08/2020
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Assessing Health and Safety Concerns and Psychological Stressors among Agricultural Workers in the U.S. Midwest
Results of a 2018 study of 540 farmers in Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, and Nebraska, identifying agricultural work stressors including chemical and equipment safety, finances, and health concerns such as hearing loss, respiratory problems, depression, and acute illnesses. Examines differences between mail and in-person survey modes, and compares their effectiveness in promoting farm workers' willingness to participate in the surveys. Features demographics and statistics on the types of stress experienced.
Author(s): Kanika Arora, Marsha Cheyney, Fredric Gerr, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 26(1), 45-58
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
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Results of a 2018 study of 540 farmers in Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, and Nebraska, identifying agricultural work stressors including chemical and equipment safety, finances, and health concerns such as hearing loss, respiratory problems, depression, and acute illnesses. Examines differences between mail and in-person survey modes, and compares their effectiveness in promoting farm workers' willingness to participate in the surveys. Features demographics and statistics on the types of stress experienced.
Author(s): Kanika Arora, Marsha Cheyney, Fredric Gerr, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 26(1), 45-58
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
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Health and Occupational Injury Experienced by Latinx Child Farmworkers in North Carolina, USA
Highlights a study on occupational injuries among Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina. Presents children by age, sex, and migrant worker classification, among other measures.
Author(s): Thomas A. Arcury, Taylor J. Arnold, Sara A. Quandt, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 248
Date: 12/2019
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Highlights a study on occupational injuries among Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina. Presents children by age, sex, and migrant worker classification, among other measures.
Author(s): Thomas A. Arcury, Taylor J. Arnold, Sara A. Quandt, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 248
Date: 12/2019
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Last Updated: 3/31/2025