Surprising Rise in Dust Storms: Discover the New Findings Around the Great Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY — Dust pollution from the Great Salt Lake is a growing concern, especially for young children. Recent research indicates that Utah’s littlest ones may face the highest health risks from airborne dust. Scientists have long known that the lakebed holds toxic heavy metals from natural and human sources, such as mining. When the water recedes, dust storms can send these pollutants into nearby cities.

Traditionally, studies have focused on how dust affects our lungs. However, a new study in the journal GeoHealth reveals that dust can also harm us through ingestion. Annie Putman, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and lead author of the study, explains, “Much of this dust ingestion happens incidentally, like when kids eat with dirty hands or food from the garden.”

Children under six are particularly vulnerable, as they tend to consume more dust relative to their size. Putman, who has a nine-month-old at home, is acutely aware of this risk. “Babies are always exploring with their mouths,” she says.

The research highlights that dust pollution varies by community. In Bountiful, for example, contaminants mainly stem from human activities, such as local gravel operations. In contrast, areas to the north face more dust emissions from the lake itself.

Several harmful metals are found in this dust. Arsenic, a known carcinogen, can be present naturally in the lakebed, while lead primarily results from historical industrial activities. Lead exposure has lasting effects on brain development, particularly in children. These metals have accumulated in the lakebed over decades, worsened by mining and refining practices that started in the 1800s.

A recent study noted alarming levels of thallium, a highly toxic element linked to severe health issues like hair loss and premature birth. While Putman has traced some thallium back to the Kennecott mine, she also found concerns near Ogden, suggesting further investigation is needed.

Experts like Kevin Perry, a professor of atmospheric studies at the University of Utah, are calling for more air quality monitors in vulnerable areas. “Models indicated that communities northeast of Farmington Bay are at higher risk,” he says, adding that even small dust events can have significant impacts.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality plans to expand its dust monitoring network to better track pollution levels. In the meantime, Putman emphasizes practical preventive measures: washing hands, cleaning toys, and using HEPA filters at home can help mitigate risks.

As scientists continue to study these environmental issues, the goal remains clear: protecting public health is essential. “It’s crucial to do science that matters,” Putman concludes. A proactive approach, including reducing dust emissions from the lakebed, is necessary for the future.

For more on the Great Salt Lake and ongoing research, you can visit the Great Salt Lake Collaborative.

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