A growing number of florists are falling ill after years of working with pesticides, many without realizing the risks involved. Madeline King, who ran a successful Minneapolis-based flower shop for eight years before closing it in 2024 due to health issues, is one such case.
She initially dismissed her symptoms as fatigue and headaches but eventually discovered that she had been exposed to pesticides through her work. Her experience highlights the often-overlooked risks of working with chemicals in the flower industry.
The use of pesticides in floristry is widespread, and many growers and wholesalers are not transparent about their chemical usage. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for workers to take necessary precautions or understand the level of risk they're facing.
Studies have shown that exposure to certain pesticides can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. One study found that 9,000 flower workers in Colombia were exposed to over 100 different pesticides, which could increase the risk of premature birth and birth defects.
Despite the risks, many florists are unaware of the dangers or lack proper education on how to protect themselves. This is partly due to the opaque supply chains involved in the industry, with few labels providing clear information about chemical usage, origin, and labor practices.
However, some experts argue that data-driven research can help identify the scope of the problem. Professor Michael Eddleston has suggested recruiting 1,000 florists to study their health over time to determine if there's a link between pesticide exposure and long-term health issues.
The flower industry's lack of awareness about pesticides is a concerning issue, particularly in light of the recent death of Emmy Marivain, a French florist who died from cancer after being exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. This tragic case led to the creation of France's Pesticide Victims Compensation Fund, which acknowledges the link between pesticide exposure and health issues.
To mitigate the risks, experts recommend wearing protective gear, using air purifiers, cracking open windows, and opting for locally grown flowers whenever possible. Madeline King agrees, stating that "if you love what you do, it's worth continuing, as long as you can do it in a healthy way."
She initially dismissed her symptoms as fatigue and headaches but eventually discovered that she had been exposed to pesticides through her work. Her experience highlights the often-overlooked risks of working with chemicals in the flower industry.
The use of pesticides in floristry is widespread, and many growers and wholesalers are not transparent about their chemical usage. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for workers to take necessary precautions or understand the level of risk they're facing.
Studies have shown that exposure to certain pesticides can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders. One study found that 9,000 flower workers in Colombia were exposed to over 100 different pesticides, which could increase the risk of premature birth and birth defects.
Despite the risks, many florists are unaware of the dangers or lack proper education on how to protect themselves. This is partly due to the opaque supply chains involved in the industry, with few labels providing clear information about chemical usage, origin, and labor practices.
However, some experts argue that data-driven research can help identify the scope of the problem. Professor Michael Eddleston has suggested recruiting 1,000 florists to study their health over time to determine if there's a link between pesticide exposure and long-term health issues.
The flower industry's lack of awareness about pesticides is a concerning issue, particularly in light of the recent death of Emmy Marivain, a French florist who died from cancer after being exposed to pesticides during pregnancy. This tragic case led to the creation of France's Pesticide Victims Compensation Fund, which acknowledges the link between pesticide exposure and health issues.
To mitigate the risks, experts recommend wearing protective gear, using air purifiers, cracking open windows, and opting for locally grown flowers whenever possible. Madeline King agrees, stating that "if you love what you do, it's worth continuing, as long as you can do it in a healthy way."
u know i think its crazy how people assume florists r immune to pesticide risks lol like they dont get it ppl who work w/ chemicals 4 yrs rnt immune to getting sick its like any other job u gotta take precautions & know ur stuff 
my friendz r all about supporting local growers who use organic methods its a small price 2 pay 4 the health of their employees 
They have no idea they're putting their health at risk just by doing their job. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend time surrounded by beautiful flowers all day? But seriously, the lack of transparency in the flower industry is wild 
. Like, where's the accountability? It's not just about protecting workers, it's also about being aware of what we're putting into our bodies and environment. I'm definitely going to start opting for locally grown flowers from now on 
I mean come on... florists are like, literally covered in poison all day and nobody thinks twice? It's not exactly rocket science to figure out that pesticides aren't good for your health. 
And what's with the lack of transparency in the industry? Can't these growers just be honest about what they're putting in those flowers? It's like they think we're all just clueless or something 
. I mean, 1,000 florists taking a study to figure out if pesticide exposure causes health issues? 
I mean, i get it, flowers are important and all that but not at the cost of their health 
we need to be more transparent about pesticide usage in the industry ASAP 
my grandma used to make flowers for special occasions and she always wore gloves and worked in a well-ventilated area, maybe florists should do the same 
... it's just not right. I had an aunt who used to be a florist and she would always complain about her hands hurting after working with all those chemicals 
. We thought it was just a side effect of constant bending and lifting, but now I'm not so sure 
anyway, I've been trying to opt for locally grown flowers whenever possible and my mom even got me these super cool air purifiers for my desk at home 
. Madeline King's story is just a reminder to be more careful about what we're exposing ourselves to, especially if it's something that can affect our health in the long run 
.
! I mean, 9k flower workers in Colombia exposed to over 100 different pesticides? That's like, crazy! 
. We need more awareness about this issue and better transparency from growers and wholesalers 
. Like, can't we just have healthy flowers without sacrificing our lives? 
Anyway, I'm totally on board with wearing protective gear and using air purifiers - my grandma always said "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" but in this case, it's more like "a mask a day saves your life" 
We need to start taking action here - more education, better safety measures, and an end to the secrecy that's killing people (literally). 
some growers/wholesalers should be ashamed of themselves for putting their workers lives on the line for $$ 