The migrants who clean up after US disasters like Colorado’s Marshall Fire are repeatedly exposed to toxins without training or protective equipment

The growing devastation caused by climate change has also led to growth in the disaster recovery industry. A new investigative report from the Center for Public Integrity, Futuro Investigates and Columbia Journalism digs into the 150 billion dollar industry and the costs paid by laborers within it who are regularly exposed to toxins like lead, asbestos, and mold.

No federal or local governments or advocacy groups track how many workers get sick every year after prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals that are present in disaster recovery cleanup. The new report found the majority of workers surveyed were experiencing many of the symptoms that are tied to regular and prolonged exposure including chronic headaches, skin and eye irritation, and respiratory problems.

KGNU’s Alexis Kenyon spoke with Maria Inés Zamudio, an investigative reporter for the Center of Public Integrity. She says while business is booming for the companies on top, conditions for migrant laborers who show up after natural disasters have not improved in decades.