By midmorning in many Arizona fields the heat is already relentless, and the labor that keeps the state's agricultural economy moving often unfolds under a sky that offers little relief. In photographs taken near San Luis, farmworkers bend over rows of leafy vegetables as the sun climbs, offering a stark visual of the conditions that prompted a team of Arizona State University researchers to examine how heat and water access affect worker health and safety. The study, published in the Journal of Agromedicine and WIREs Water, presents data and observations intended to inform practical responses for growers, communities and policymakers.
Farmworkers bend over rows of leafy vegetables under a clear desert sky near San Luis, Arizona — illustrating the heat‑exposed field conditions ASU researchers examined.
The research was carried out with support from Arizona Water for All, a pillar of the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative led by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory in collaboration with the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. That programmatic backing reflects an institutional effort to align water, climate and community health research with practical solutions for industries — like agriculture — that will confront hotter and drier conditions in the years ahead. Arizona agriculture supports a multibillion‑dollar sector and depends on more than 160,000 workers, many of them Latino and including adolescents and young adults who perform physically demanding tasks in environments where temperatures can top 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
The core of the study surveyed 180 Latino farmworker adolescents and young adults working in Arizona. More than half of those surveyed reported experiencing at least one symptom associated with heat‑related illness. Reported symptoms included muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea and hot, dry skin — signs of physiological stress that can progress to more serious conditions if not addressed. "Farmworkers are essential to our food system," said Fiorella Carlos Chavez, assistant professor in community health at ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. "Our research helps us better understand their experiences so we can support safer, more sustainable working conditions."
Analysis of the survey responses highlighted several factors that correlate with higher rates of heat symptoms. Longer work hours and financial responsibilities were associated with increased reports of heat‑related problems, suggesting that economic pressure to continue working despite dangerous conditions weighs heavily on many laborers. The researchers also documented gaps in workplace safety practices: while a number of participants said they had received safety instructions, fewer described regular, ongoing safety meetings or felt they had personal control over decisions that affected their own on‑the‑job safety. The study authors note that strengthening communication, regular safety briefings and encouraging breaks at peak heat times could reduce risk while supporting the continuity of work.
Water access emerged as a central determinant of vulnerability to heat‑related illness. The research makes clear that reliable access to safe drinking water reduces the likelihood of dehydration and the physiological strain that accompanies sustained physical labor in extreme temperatures. But availability alone is not sufficient: when bottled or potable water is present in the field, factors such as the timing of breaks, the distance workers must travel to reach water stations and workplace norms about taking time to hydrate all influence whether workers actually consume enough fluids. "Water is one of the most practical ways to protect workers in extreme heat," Carlos Chavez said. The study underscores how relatively modest changes — moving water points closer, scheduling hydration breaks or ensuring supervision reinforces access — can make measurable differences in worker health outcomes.
Community members and workers stand at a press podium holding 'Heat Justice' signs, calling for stronger protections and water access for farmworkers facing rising temperatures.
Beyond immediate measures to improve hydration and rest, the research draws attention to broader workforce dynamics that shape health risks and viable interventions. Cultural appropriateness, realism for different agricultural settings and the need for scalable practices are themes the authors highlight as essential to any successful strategy. That includes attention to adolescents and young adults, who make up a portion of the workforce and may face distinct pressures or gaps in training. Federal guidance — including Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommendations on providing water and shade — offers a practical framework that employers can adapt to reduce heat exposure in the field.
The ASU team also frames their findings as a starting point for partnerships designed to translate evidence into practice. Collaboration among growers, policymakers, community organizations and researchers can build on existing efforts to improve water access and reinforce heat safety practices, the study suggests. "These findings can help us identify where additional support can make a difference," Carlos Chavez said. "They're about improving conditions for workers and employers alike." Amber Wutich, director of Arizona Water for All and Regents Professor and President's Professor in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, emphasized the wider community benefits of strengthening water security: "When we ensure reliable access to safe water, we're supporting workers and strengthening communities while helping sustain Arizona's agricultural future," she said. "These are practical, achievable solutions that make a real difference on the ground."
As Arizona faces more frequent extreme heat and continued pressure on water resources, the study provides a data‑driven look at where targeted changes could reduce health risks for farmworkers while supporting agricultural resilience. The research identifies immediate, actionable points — improving proximity and continuity of drinking water in fields, standardizing safety meetings and hydration breaks, and addressing economic drivers that push workers to stay on the job in dangerous conditions — that employers and community partners can pursue. The authors position their work as part of a broader effort to generate knowledge that informs practical, culturally appropriate actions to protect one of the state's essential workforces while sustaining agricultural production.