Final answer:
Mexican workers, starting in 1942, were exposed to conditions as part of the 'Bracero Program' that led to various health issues. These included injuries from machinery, chronic ailments like back problems and hearing loss, breathing difficulties due to inhaled fibers, and heat exhaustion from long hours in harsh conditions, as well as the effects of toxic chemicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the exposure of Mexican workers to conditions in the 1940s that led to sickness. Starting in 1942, Mexican agricultural workers were brought to the United States under the "Bracero Program" to address labor shortages during World War II. These workers, referred to as braceros, were subjected to hard manual labor that often led to a variety of health issues.
Workers were exposed to long hours of arduous and mechanized labor which not only took a toll on their health but also put their safety at risk. Injuries from moving machinery were commonplace, resulting in loss of fingers and hands. Constantly standing led to back problems, swelling of the feet, and even miscarriages for female workers.
In certain industries, such as textiles, inhaled fibers could cause severe breathing problems, sometimes leading to permanent disability. The from machines could result in hearing loss, and high temperatures exacerbated by machinery and crowded working conditions pushed workers towards heat exhaustion. In some instances, workers were also exposed to toxic chemicals, which were often used in unregulated production processes, causing additional health hazards.
Racial prejudice also played a role in the treatment of Mexican American workers, leading to discrimination and unequal working conditions compared to their counterparts. Notably, during World War II, the Mexican American bz grew in Southern California due to this labor demand, which was soon followed by the bracero program.