Fair & healthy flowers Flowers on Valentine's Day? It's a lovely
tradition, and I enjoy a gorgeous bouquet as much as anyone. I
also do my best to remember — and support — the workers behind
the enormous global flower trade. They are mostly women, many of
whom work in Colombia and Ecuador. They toil long hours for low
wages, and too often brave exposure to pesticides known to be
harmful to their health and the health of their children. They
deserve our support. Flower workers' children More than 60% of
the flowers imported to the U.S. are produced in Colombia. In
Ecuador, the cut-flower industry is the country’s third most
valuable export, behind oil and bananas. A study of the impacts
of pesticides on children in flower growing communities of
Ecuador showed that exposure to the predominant class of
pesticides used — the neurotoxic organophosphate and carbamate
pesticides — is associated with poorer neurobehavioral
development. The study also suggested that malnourishment may
substantially increase vulnerabil