MINNEAPOLIS — The multi-billion dollar cut flower industry is confronting a growing health crisis among florists potentially exposed to high levels of unregulated chemical pesticides, prompting calls for urgent safety reforms and greater supply chain transparency. Many professional florists, who handle imported flowers daily, report suffering debilitating symptoms—ranging from chronic fatigue and headaches to severe organ damage—that medical experts increasingly link to chemical exposure.
The severity of the issue was highlighted in December 2024 when Minneapolis florist Sarah Chen, 30, was forced to close her eight-year-old business after enduring relentless, unexplained health problems. Chen, who had developed dizziness, nausea, and unreliability in her memory, attributes her declining health to the prolonged exposure to pesticide residues commonly found on imported blooms.
“To find out that my health deteriorated because of my profession is incredibly stressful,” Chen stated, challenging the industry silence surrounding occupational hazards.
Lack of Regulation Creates Worker Hazard
Unlike food products, cut flowers in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States face no statutory federal limits on pesticide residue levels, creating a serious and largely invisible occupational danger for florists and greenhouse workers worldwide. Experts note that while casual consumers face minimal risk, industry workers are exposed to what researchers deem “toxic bombs” for several hours daily, with chemicals readily absorbed through skin contact or inhalation.
A significant portion of globally sold cut flowers—estimated at 85% in the UK—are sourced from nations like Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where pesticide oversight and labor protections are often minimal. These chemicals are essential for protecting flowers during cultivation and transportation, ensuring year-round aesthetic quality.
The danger was tragically illuminated in France when florist Sophie Dubois’s 11-year-old daughter, Emmy, died of cancer in March 2022. French authorities officially recognized the connection between Emmy’s cancer and her mother’s exposure to pesticides during the pregnancy, marking a groundbreaking judicial acknowledgment of the risk.
Scientific Data Confirms Significant Exposure
Limited but growing scientific evidence supports the link between floristry work and high chemical exposure. A 2018 study analyzed 90 bouquets and identified 107 different pesticides. Alarmingly, detectable traces of 70 of these compounds were found in florists’ urine samples, even among those reportedly wearing doubled protective gloves.
One pesticide, clofentezine, which US authorities classify as a possible carcinogen, was present at levels four times the acceptable threshold in the study. The EU declined to renew its approval of clofentezine in 2023 due to its endocrine-disrupting properties. Earlier research from the 1990s documented that nearly 9,000 Colombian flower workers were potentially exposed to over 120 different pesticides, resulting in elevated rates of birth defects among pregnant workers.
Professor Michael Eddleston, a clinical toxicology expert at the University of Edinburgh, emphasized the lack of oversight. “In industries like cotton, genuine efforts have been made to reduce chemical usage. But with flowers, no one is monitoring, so there is no real incentive to abandon long-standing practices,” he explained.
Industry Awareness and Education Gap
Many career florists remain unaware of the chemical risks. James Mitchell, a veteran florist in west London, noted the topic has never been discussed in his two decades in the business.
Chen’s own health issues compelled her to investigate, leading her to discover similar symptoms suffered by peers and the disturbing research data. She was shocked to learn that she had handled potentially toxic materials barehanded for five years. While she subsequently adopted protective measures, including gloves, air purifiers, and local sourcing, her symptoms persisted, culminating in her decision to leave the field.
“Her symptoms vanishing after leaving the industry strongly suggests they were pesticide-related,” Professor Eddleston commented.
While some advanced floristry courses recommend the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), these trainings are neither mandatory nor widely affordable. Angela Oliver, CEO of the British Florist Association (BFA), reports that no publicly available occupational hazard guidelines specifically addressing pesticides exist for the profession.
Moving Toward Regulatory Change
The increased visibility of this issue, particularly following the tragic case in France, is driving incremental policy action. Following public outcry, the French government launched a comprehensive study to assess floristry worker exposure, potentially leading to regulatory proposals for maximum pesticide residue limits on imported flowers. Consumer groups, such as France’s UFC-Que Choisir, are now demanding immediate, compulsory labeling concerning chemical treatment on all cut flowers.
Florists speaking out, like Chen, are emphasizing the need for simple, actionable safety steps, including consistent glove use, ensuring proper studio ventilation, and prioritizing locally sourced flowers when possible.
“Floristry is beautiful, and many people have amazing careers,” Chen concluded. “But there is a very dark side to floristry that is simply not being talked about, and that needs to change for the safety of the workforce.” Addressing this crisis hinges on greater transparency within the global supply chain and robust, mandatory occupational safety standards for florists worldwide.