Five on Friday: Farmworkers, Air Quality, and Regulation

Another busy week, and five more stories! This week, workers, especially farmworkers, are front and center as state and federal regulations are debated and wildfires poison the air across the northeast. Read our choices this week:

Robert sent a CBS article focused on extreme heat, the promise of a federal heat standard, and the challenges that standard might face as OSHA proceeds. Workers pay the price while Congress and employers debate need for heat regulations - CBS News

US farms are dependent on H2A workers and immigrant workers without authorization, yet the program is plagued with concerns of worker safety and exploitation. Gio sent a Planet Money segment on H2A workers and the discourse around the program. Why the H-2A visa program could use a makeover : The Indicator from Planet Money : NPR

Wildfire smoke and other pollutants are poisoning us and may be a greater danger than tobacco use or alcohol. Claire sent an article about the dangers of air pollution and the threat it represents. Dirty air is biggest external threat to human health, worse than tobacco or alcohol, major study finds - CBS News

Immigrants and their children now make up 44.8% of Fortune 500 companies according to an article sent in by Alma. The contributions of immigrants and their families are vital to the economy on every level. New Report Reveals Immigrant Roots of Fortune 500 Companies | American Immigration Council

Weekly Win: A state judge in Travis County struck down House Bill 2127, known as the “Death Star Bill,” according to a press release from Public Citizen that Amy sent in. The Bill threatened to undermine existing local regulations that would protect workers from heat in Texas. The Texas Capitol ‘Is Not City Hall,’ Public Citizen Says in Response to Judge Blocking ‘Death Star Bill’ - Public Citizen

Have a safe and healthy weekend!