Toxic dust from the shrinking Salton Sea is impeding lung growth in children living nearby, according to new research. The study, conducted by epidemiologists at the University of Southern California (USC) and University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), found that nearly 1 in 5 children in the northern Imperial Valley have asthma—far higher than the national rate.
Key Takeaways
Toxic dust from the shrinking Salton Sea is impeding lung growth in children living nearby. New research shows that nearly 1 in 5 children in the northern Imperial Valley have asthma, and higher levels of dust exposure are linked to poorer lung function and reduced lung growth over time.
- Blowing dust from exposed lake bed contains agricultural chemicals and metals
- Study finds impaired lung development among children near Salton Sea
- Asthma rates nearly double national average in affected communities
- Air pollution impacts both asthmatic and non-asthmatic children equally
- Researchers call for action to reduce dust emissions and protect air quality
As reported by UPI, The Los Angeles Times, and The Conversation, wind blowing across the exposed lake bed kicks up dust containing agricultural chemicals and metals that make their way into children's lungs. The effects on lung function near the Salton Sea have been greater than what studies find in urban California communities near busy roadways.
The Salton Sea, once a popular resort destination, has been shrinking for decades due to drought, agricultural water diversion, and climate change. According to UPI, irrigation runoff from farm fields kept the lake going, but decreasing water flow over the past two decades has exposed 36,000 new acres of dry lake bed, releasing large amounts of dust into the air.
The study, known as the Assessing Imperial Valley Respiratory Health and the Environment (AIRE) cohort study, followed more than 700 elementary school-age children across five northern Imperial Valley cities. The research found that higher levels of dust exposure are linked to poorer lung function and reductions in children's lung growth over time.
Community members have long raised concerns about high rates of asthma and poor respiratory health among children and residents. Researchers believe the protection of local air quality is critical for the health of children in the Imperial Valley, emphasizing that their health should be at the forefront as public and private sectors plan future water changes, extraction projects, and other development near the Salton Sea.
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