The Great Salt Lake, a vital natural resource in Utah, is facing a dire crisis as it continues to shrink at an alarming rate. This desiccation, driven by increased human water use and accelerating climate change, has exposed vast areas of the lakebed to atmospheric weathering and wind. As the lake recedes, it releases harmful dust that pollutes surrounding areas during dust storms, posing serious health risks to nearby communities.
A recent study conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Utah has shed light on the environmental justice implications of the Great Salt Lake’s drying. By simulating dust pollution scenarios and combining them with demographic data, the researchers have uncovered significant disparities in dust exposure among different population groups.
The study reveals that during typical dust storms, current dust levels expose residents to an average of 26 μg/m3 of PM2.5, which exceeds the World Health Organization’s threshold of 15 μg/m3. If the lake were to dry up completely, exposure could rise to 32 μg/m3, while restoring the lake could reduce exposure to 24 μg/m3.
Alarmingly, the researchers found that dust exposure is disproportionately higher among Pacific Islanders and Hispanic people compared to white residents. Additionally, those without a high school diploma are more affected by the dust. These findings underscore the urgent need to address the environmental justice implications of the Great Salt Lake’s drying.
“People here in Utah are concerned about the lake for a variety of reasons – the ski industry, the brine shrimp, the migratory birds, recreation – and this study adds environmental justice and the equity implications of the drying lake to the conversation,” explained Sara Grineski, the study’s first author and a sociologist at the University of Utah.
Restoring the Great Salt Lake is not only crucial for preserving the ecosystem and mitigating the health risks associated with dust exposure but also for promoting environmental justice. By raising the lake’s water levels through coordinated policy responses, such as investing in water-efficient technologies, improving agricultural water use efficiency, and implementing municipal water conservation programs, the disparities in dust exposure can be significantly reduced.
