Lee, Grijalva, DeSaulnier and Crockett Urge Biden-Harris Administration to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke Exposure

Lee, Grijalva, DeSaulnier and Crockett Urge Biden-Harris Administration to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke Exposure

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there have been nearly 30,000 wildfires this year. Over 5,000 have been in California.

Washington, D.C. - As one of the hottest summers on record comes to an end, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) on Wednesday sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Labor Julie Su urging the Department of Labor to issue an occupational health standard protecting workers from harmful smoke exposure.

"Wildfire smoke poses risks to the health of everyone, especially to vulnerable populations including outdoor workers, who often bear the brunt of exposure to air pollution and extreme weather conditions," the lawmakers wrote. "As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of wildfires and prolongs wildfire seasons, strong federal protections and guidance are needed to adequately safeguard outdoor workers from the increasing impacts of wildfire smoke."

Communities across the United States are experiencing longer and more active wildfire seasons. Smoke from these wildfires can make outdoor air harmful to breathe and create adverse working conditions for outdoor workers. There is a well-established link between exposure to wildfire smoke and adverse respiratory health impacts, including reduced lung function, asthma exacerbation and aggravation of other lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as increased risk of respiratory-related mortality and morbidity - especially among communities of color.

Last year, Lee, Grijalva, Crockett, and DeSaulnier introduced the SMOKE Act, which would ensure workers aren't forced to report to work if air quality conditions threaten their health - free from fear of losing compensation, employment, or retaliation.

"We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration elevating the issue of wildland smoke exposure harming outdoor workers and urge the Administration to issue a new worker protection standard mirroring the SMOKE Act," the lawmakers concluded.

The letter was endorsed by the American Lung Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Sierra Club.

To read the full letter, click here.