MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Florists, growers, and other cut flower industry professionals are facing significant, often underestimated health risks due to daily, prolonged exposure to high levels of unregulated pesticides used extensively in global flower cultivation, according to recent health accounts and toxicological research. Former Minneapolis florist Sarah Chen, 30, recently closed her thriving eight-year-old business in December 2024 following chronic health issues, including debilitating fatigue and persistent nausea, which her medical providers attributed to chemical exposure in her workplace. Her case highlights a serious lack of protective guidelines and awareness within the floral industry regarding pesticide residue on imported blooms.
Florists Experience Unseen Health Crisis
While most consumers handling bouquets face negligible risks, the danger falls disproportionately on industry workers who handle massive volumes of chemically treated flowers daily. Unlike produce, which is subject to residue limits, cut flowers imported into the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States face no statutory upper limits on pesticide concentration, contributing to what some experts describe as hazardous working conditions.
“To find out that I feel this bad because of my job is horrible and stressful,” Chen explained, questioning the industry’s silence. “Why is no one talking about this?”
Chen’s story is not isolated. A tragic incident in France garnered international attention in 2022 when Sophie Dubois’s 11-year-old daughter, Emmy, died from cancer. France’s Pesticide Victims Compensation Fund later recognized a connection between the child’s illness and Dubois’s occupational pesticide exposure while pregnant. This groundbreaking decision signals a potential link between parental exposure in floristry and serious childhood diseases. Researchers Jean-Noël Jouzel and Giovanni Prete are investigating similar cases, noting a troubling pattern of cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders among children of exposed florists.
Research Reveals High Exposure Levels
Limited academic research underscores the severity of the contamination. A 2018 study that tested 90 floral bouquets identified 107 different pesticides. Alarmingly, 70 of these chemicals were found present in the urine of florists participating in the study, even among those who reported using two pairs of protective gloves. Exposure to one pesticide, clofentezine, which US authorities classify as a possible carcinogen, exceeded acceptable safety thresholds by four times in this sample group.
Professor Michael Eddleston, a clinical toxicology expert at the University of Edinburgh, contends that the lack of regulation removes any corporate incentive to reduce chemical usage. “With flowers, nobody’s monitoring, so there’s no incentive to change long-standing practices,” he noted.
The majority of flowers sold in Western markets—upwards of 85% in the UK—are sourced through complex international supply chains from countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya, where pesticide monitoring and worker protections are often minimal.
Call for Transparency and Worker Protection
Many practicing florists remain largely unaware of the extent of the risk. London-based florist James Mitchell, with two decades in the business, said the topic has never been raised within professional circles. The industry’s primary professional bodies have also been slow to address the hazards.
Angela Oliver, CEO of the British Florist Association, stated that occupational hazard guidelines specifically addressing pesticides for florists are publicly unavailable, though the BFA does publish some health information for paying members. This knowledge gap means most florists learn on the job without ever receiving formal training on handling chemically laden materials.
The situation is spurring demands for immediate change. In France, consumer organizations are pushing for mandatory labeling of chemicals on flower products. Elsewhere, the consensus among concerned industry members is focused on increasing awareness and promoting protective measures.
Recommendations for mitigating exposure include:
- Mandatory Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear gloves and protective clothing when handling imported flowers.
- Improved Ventilation: Ensure work areas are well-ventilated, ideally with commercial-grade air purifiers.
- Source Locally: Prioritize domestically or regionally grown flowers that adhere to stricter environmental and chemical standards.
- Education: Industry associations must provide mandatory, accessible education regarding chemical risks and symptom recognition.
The floristry supply chain, unlike those for food or apparel, remains highly opaque, making traceability and accountability difficult. Experts emphasize that widespread health monitoring of industry workers is urgently needed to establish clear causation and drive regulatory change. As Chen suggests, the beautiful facade of the floral industry currently conceals a “dark side” affecting the very workers who sustain it.