Dust Storms From Great Salt Lake Roll Into Towns, Bringing Hazardous Chemicals - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the environmental and public health hazards posed by dust storms originating from the exposed lake bed of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Once submerged under 16 feet of water, the lake bed has become a source of toxic dust storms due to record low water levels caused by drought, water diversion, and heat. These dust storms carry heavy metals such as arsenic and other carcinogenic substances embedded in the sediment, which can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Exposure to these metals is linked to serious health issues including respiratory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular problems, infertility, and nervous system disorders. The Great Salt Lake, a terminal lake with no outlet, accumulates industrial, urban, mining, and agricultural pollutants from a population exceeding two million people. The lake’s shrinking surface area has exposed over 120 square miles of lake bed, increasing the frequency and intensity of dust events. While air quality monitors exist in nearby counties, they do not analyze the specific composition of the