A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California has uncovered the harmful effects of windblown dust from the shrinking Salton Sea on the respiratory health of children living nearby. The dust has been found to trigger asthma, coughing, wheezing, and disrupted sleep among children in the area, with those living closest to the sea being the most affected. The study, published in Environmental Research, revealed that 24% of children in the region suffer from asthma, a significantly higher rate compared to the national average. This elevated prevalence raises concerns about the health of children in this predominantly low-income community located 150 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Experts predict that the dust problem is likely to worsen in a hotter climate as evaporation exposes more of the lake bed, leading to more frequent dust events. The successful water conservation efforts aimed at reducing agricultural runoff flowing into the Salton Sea have inadvertently exacerbated the issue by causing the lake to shrink. As development and lithium mining activities increase in the area, additional economic opportunities may arise, but this could result in more dust being kicked up by truck traffic, further aggravating respiratory health issues in the community. Jill Johnston, the study’s lead author and associate professor of environmental health at USC, emphasizes that these rural environmental justice communities are facing health consequences due to local dust events stemming from environmental changes.
The formation of the Salton Sea was accidental in 1905 due to a breach in a canal system, and it has been primarily sustained by irrigation runoff from surrounding farmland. However, with decreasing water flow over the past two decades, approximately 16,000 acres of playa have been exposed, leading to a significant increase in dust emissions. Salt lake beds like those found at the Salton Sea contain harmful particulates such as sulfates, chlorides, pesticides, and toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and chromium. These particles become airborne and pose a serious health risk to the surrounding community, especially children. Researchers aimed to investigate the link between airborne dust and respiratory health by recruiting 722 school-age children from the predominantly Latino/Hispanic community between 2017 and 2019.
The study involved collecting health history information from parents and guardians and estimating children’s exposure to dust events using data from a network of regulatory air monitors. These monitors measure levels of particulate matter in the air, including PM2.5 particles typically from traffic and combustion, and larger PM10 particles typically from dust and soil. By analyzing the impact of dust events on respiratory health outcomes like wheezing and sleep disturbances, researchers found that children living closest to the Salton Sea experienced more severe health impacts. Each deviation increase in annual fine PM2.5 levels resulted in significant percentage point increases in wheezing and bronchitis symptoms among children in the area.
The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for public health protection measures to be integrated into mitigation plans for addressing the growing issue of respiratory health problems caused by windblown dust from the shrinking Salton Sea. The research team, which included experts from the University of Southern California and Comité Cívico del Valle, a community-based organization in Imperial Valley, emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental justice concerns and implementing strategies to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations. The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, showcasing the significance of continued research in understanding and mitigating the impact of environmental changes on respiratory health in at-risk communities like those near the Salton Sea.