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Would a Rose Not Smell As Sweet? David Tenenbaum Abstract
Rose red. Of concern to female workers are potential reproductive risks from pesticide exposures.
image credit: Greta Friedemann Consumers in developed nations are now presented with a broad array of fresh cut flowers, available at an ever-expanding number of retailers. There is concern, on the part of environmental and workers' rights groups that this bounty of bright blossoms may come at a high environmental and human health cost to the developing countries where many of these flowers are grown. Large quantities of potentially toxic chemicals are considered necessary to ensure that near-perfect blooms reach the market. Studies are just beginning to document the neurotoxic, reproductive, and genetic effects of working in the floriculture industry. As the debate over this issue grows, growers counter that their businesses are in fact creating better workplaces for the industry's mostly female workers.
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