An Ugly Picture for Flower Workers and Their Children, Reaction Paper Example

Millions of American customers, spending about $ 20 billions on fresh flowers annually, do not suspect how floriculture may impact the life of workers and even their unborn children in Latin America. The article “An Ugly Picture for Flower Workers and Their Children” by David A. Taylor investigates the problem of damage done to the health of children who experienced antenatal exposure to pesticides. The author attempts to provide assessment of the damage caused by the contact of pregnant women in floriculture to harmful substances without appropriate protection.

Taylor refers to the outcomes of previous examinations in the domain. The findings of them are impressive. The scientists have already proven that pesticide usage impacts the mental and neurophysical abilities of children. The survey of flower workers and their children in Ecuador showed that mothers’ contact with pesticides during pregnancy causes neurological impairment. The group of researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that the exposure may also cause higher blood pressure. It serves a precondition for future cardiovascular diseases. The experiment also showed the impact of pesticides on spatial performance.

The floriculture will not reject totally the pesticides due to possible decrease of profit. However, it is reassuring that some companies expressed their anxiety about the situation and work in accordance with programs, which regulate the marketing of certified goods and sets consequent requirements. For example, Organic Bouquet sells flowers including low pesticide residue since 2001.

Apparently, the economic situation in the countries and poverty makes people agree to hard and detrimental to health conditions of work. It stands to reason that the mentioned conditions of work should be altered. Workers exposing to harmful substances should obtain proper protection, like breathers and protective suits. They should follow safe rules both at work and home (for example, washing exposed working overalls separately). Philippe Grandjean claims that improvement is possible through immediate changes, implying less fumigation at work, less-toxic substances, and use of protective utensils. Therefore, local authorities and companies’ leaders have to take care of the workers, especially pregnant women. The former may create the necessary laws to regulate the problem. The latter must create appropriate working conditions.