California's Salton Sea Health Crisis Linked to Dust Pollution

Chemical-laden dust from California's drying Salton Sea is likely harming the lungs of nearby residents, particularly children, according to new peer-reviewed research from the University of California, Irvine.

This study, part of a series of investigations, reveals significant health risks associated with dust exposure from the Salton Sea, which is located about 160 miles southeast of Los Angeles. The research indicates that the drying lake's dust can travel over 100 miles, creating widespread health concerns.

Researchers, led by Jill Johnston, found measurable harm to lung function among children living close to the lake, drawing parallels to historic dust bowl pneumonia cases from the 1930s. They measured lung capacity in 500 children around ten years old and found a clear association between proximity to the lake and respiratory issues, including wheezing.

Similarly, a study from the University of California, Riverside, uncovered that dust from the Salton Sea alters the lung microbiome, potentially triggering non-allergic asthma symptoms. This finding is particularly alarming as it marks the first time contaminants have been linked to changes in lung microbiome, a subject not fully understood in health research.

The UC Riverside study utilized advanced technology to measure the impact of dust on lung bacteria and identified high levels of a potent endotoxin that may be proliferating due to nutrients in the lake.

The health risks are exacerbated for the low-income and predominantly Latino communities living near the Salton Sea, who are experiencing these environmental consequences acutely. Experts recommend that residents wear masks and use air filtration systems to mitigate exposure.

A task force is also advocating for the implementation of wetlands to reduce nutrient runoff into the lake, which could help address this public health crisis. These findings underscore the urgent need for environmental health interventions and further research into the broader implications of dust pollution on lung health, especially in vulnerable populations, as indicated by the studies.