Great Salt Lake dust affects Pacific Islanders and Hispanics

Research from the University of Utah indicates that Pacific Islanders and Hispanics are most affected by dust from the exposed bed of the Great Salt Lake, underscoring the environmental justice concerns in the area. The drying of the Great Salt Lake has resulted in 800 square miles of exposed lakebed, leading to harmful dust exposure. During wind events, PM2.5 levels can spike to 26 μg/m3, surpassing the WHO threshold of 15 μg/m3. Restoring the lake could help alleviate disparities in dust exposure among different racial and ethnic groups.  People in Utah are worried about the lake for various reasons, and this study adds environmental justice and equity implications of the drying lake to the issue. As the Great Salt Lake continues to recede, mostly due to prolonged drought and water diversion for agriculture and urban use, large areas of the lakebed are exposed. These exposed areas become major sources of dust, which can carry harmful pollutants and particulate matter into the air. Pacific Islander and Hispanic populations, who often live closer to these exposed regions, face greater health risks from dust exposure, leading to respiratory problems and other health complications that can exacerbate existing disparities.