News Earth

Reactive dust from Great Salt Lake may have health consequences

When inhaled, metals left by the shrinking lake could cause inflammation

Three people stand in front of the expansive Salt Lake flats, with dried out puddles throughout the landscape

As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, it leaves behind dust with a higher oxidative potential, a measure of reactivity, than dust from other nearby lakes.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News

By Skyler Ware

Dust pollution is known to contribute to asthma and heart and lung disease. But dust blowing from Utah’s Great Salt Lake could pack an extra unwanted punch.

Metals in the dust and sediment from around Great Salt Lake are more reactive than dust from nearby lake beds, researchers report in the November Atmospheric Environment.