The Great Salt Lake in Utah is facing a serious public health threat due to the dust blowing from its dry bed, according to a recent report by two environmental nonprofits. The lake hit a record-low elevation in 2022, endangering millions of migrating birds and threatening industries such as brine shrimp harvesting, mineral extraction, and tourism. Although the lake has partially recovered, it remains at risk of sinking to another record-breaking low.
Approximately 800 square miles of the lake bed are exposed, creating a massive threat to public health. Dust storms have become a regular occurrence in the urban region of the Wasatch Front, where most Utahns reside. The report from Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and the Utah Rivers Council highlights the inadequate response of policymakers and the scientific community to address the dust issue, warning that failure to act could result in billions of dollars in cleanup costs.
The report emphasizes the health hazards posed by tiny particulates known as “ultrafines” and the potential presence of toxins like heavy metals and PFAS in the dust. If the lake continues to remain at its record-low elevation, dust mitigation measures could cost between $3.4 billion and $11 billion over 20 years. The report draws parallels with Owens Lake in California, where various methods were used to control dust blowing from the dried-up lake.
State resource managers have identified a minimum healthy elevation of 4,198 feet for the Great Salt Lake, which currently stands at 4,191.3 feet in the south arm and 4,190.8 feet in the north arm. The lake’s decline is primarily attributed to human activities such as water diversion and climate change, which is accelerating evaporation rates.
While some proposed solutions for mitigating the toxic dust have been put forth by policymakers and researchers, the two nonprofits behind the report argue that refilling the lake should be the state’s priority. Costly engineered solutions like building berms or tapping groundwater beneath the lake bed are criticized for being short-sighted and impractical. The report warns that the state’s approach to the Great Salt Lake issue could lead to serious consequences, including an outflow of wealthier households and younger populations from Utah.
Experts and scientists agree that restoring the lake’s water levels should be the primary focus, rather than managing it as a long-term source of pollution. Urgent action is needed to address the dust issue and protect the health of residents living near the Great Salt Lake. Bill Johnson’s University of Utah graduate students are hard at work hauling their equipment out onto the playa of the Great Salt Lake in June. This dedicated team is conducting research to better understand the complex dynamics of the lake and its surrounding environment.
“We don’t want this to become just about dust management, and we forget about the lake,” Johnson emphasized. He recognizes the importance of addressing dust issues but wants to ensure that the focus remains on the overall health of the Great Salt Lake. He acknowledges that it took decades of unsustainable water consumption for the lake to shrink to its current state, and it will likely take just as long for it to refill.
Kevin Perry, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Utah, is one of the leading researchers studying the Great Salt Lake’s dust. He has been working closely with organizations like Utah Physicians and Utah Rivers Council to provide valuable feedback on their reports. Perry believes that the latest report is a more balanced version than what he saw in the past, although he still finds it to be somewhat alarmist.
While Perry agrees with the report’s findings that there are many unknowns about the composition of lake bed dust and its potential health impacts, he remains skeptical about certain aspects. In particular, he questions the assertion that ultrafine particulates are a major concern with lake bed dust, as these pollutants are typically associated with high-heat combustion sources like diesel engines.
The report also outlines cost estimates for dust mitigation, which Perry finds to be in line with his own research. He acknowledges that addressing dust issues in the long term comes with a hefty price tag and poses risks of causing permanent damage to the landscape. While engineered solutions can effectively mitigate dust, Perry believes that it is important to explore alternative options before resorting to drastic measures.
Overall, the research being conducted by Johnson’s team and other experts is crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of the Great Salt Lake and its environmental challenges. By continuing to study and monitor the lake, scientists hope to develop sustainable solutions that preserve this unique ecosystem for future generations.
