Celebrating Earth Day: Protecting our planet, the health of workers and fence-line communities
Each year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet and ensure its sustainability for future generations. While much of the conversation around Earth Day focuses on environmental issues like extreme weather, pollution and deforestation, there is another critical aspect that often gets overlooked: the impact of environmental degradation on worker health. Earth Day presents an opportunity to highlight how the health of the planet and the health of workers are intrinsically linked, and why protecting both should be a top priority.
The increasing environmental challenges we face today such as pollution, hazardous chemicals and habitat destruction are posing serious threats to worker health, safety and well-being. Whether it’s through exposure to toxic substances in the workplace, the growing prevalence of heat-related illnesses, or respiratory problems due to air pollution, workers are increasingly suffering from environmental harm. On Earth Day, it’s important to recognize that protecting the health of workers is not just about safer workplaces; it’s also about addressing the broader environmental factors that contribute to these health risks.
Occupational Health Hazards Linked to Environmental Degradation
One of the most pressing issues facing workers today is the impact of air pollution. Workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining and agriculture are often exposed to harmful pollutants like asbestos, lead or particulate matter than can lead to long-term respiratory problems and other health conditions(1). Although different jobs may carry more risk than others, air quality is not just a concern for those working in high-risk industries; it affects millions of workers across the globe(1). Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can lead to chronic conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease(2). In addition, extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods and hurricanes are becoming more frequent and intense, putting workers at heightened risk for heat stress, dehydration and other weather-related hazards.
Environmental Justice and Fence-Line Communities
Workplace hazards don’t stop at the plant gate. Environmental pollution affects workers on the job and at home. Fence-line communities are located near industrial sites including factories, chemical plants, military operation bases, refineries and more. Fence-line communities are affected by the operations at these industrial sites, including things like noise, odors and chemical emissions. These communities are at the intersection of several health risks due to both environmental degradation and occupational exposure. Effective solutions to these issues must consider strategies to protect workers while addressing both the short- and long-term environmental impacts on nearby communities.
TMC training can help!
Earth Day is a reminder that the health of our planet and the health of workers are deeply interconnected. On this Earth Day, let’s recommit ourselves to the fight for worker health, environmental justice and a sustainable future for all.
The Tony Mazzocchi Center (TMC) has a number of courses to inform workers across industries of protections against environmental hazards, as well as how to protect the environment from occupational hazards. Some of these include:
- Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
- Mold Awareness
- Process Safety Management (PSM)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Weatherization and Climate Change
For more information on training, please contact us via webmaster@uswtmc.org.
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References
1. Occupational Health: Why the Environment Matters. (2023). In National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences. National Institutes of Health. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/health/materials/occupational_health_why_the_environment_matters_508.pdf
2. Manisalidis, I., Stavropoulou, E., Stavropoulos, A., & Bezirtzoglou, E. (2020). Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review. Frontiers in public health, 8, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00014