Latino Migrant Farmworkers in Lowcountry South Carolina: A Demographic Profile and an Examination of Pesticide Risk Perception and Protection in two Pilot Case Studies

Abstract

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers face greater exposure to chemicals applied during the growing, harvesting, transporting, and processing of food than other consumers of produce in the United States since they work directly with agricultural toxins and report difficulty accessing health care and other basic needs. Little is known regarding the life opportunities and challenges faced by the contemporary community of migrant farmworkers in the geographic region of lowcountry South Carolina. This paper, which analyzes two interlocking pilot studies, makes a nascent attempt to fill this knowledge gap by presenting descriptive data that summarizes the unique circumstances faced by lowcountry migrant farmworkers due to cultural, language, transportation, education, healthcare, income, and other demographic characteristics. Our findings also support existing evidence that indicates, first, that migrant farmworkers are not receiving adequate pesticide safety training and, second, that even when they do receive training these programs do not necessarily increase protective measures and behaviors. Finally, we conclude by suggesting that future research be conducted to investigate whether the unique combination of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of migrant farmworkers may be contributing to the lack of effectiveness of current pesticide training and education programs.