The Silent Threat in the Air: Great Salt Lake's Dust Storms Pose Hidden Dangers, Especially for Utah's Youngest
This article is part of the Great Salt Lake Collaborative (https://greatsaltlakenews.org/), a groundbreaking initiative uniting news, education, and media organizations to shed light on the critical issues facing the Great Salt Lake (https://www.ksl.com/news/stream/great-salt-lake).
SALT LAKE CITY — The Great Salt Lake's receding waters have unveiled more than just its lakebed; they've exposed a growing health crisis tied to dust storms. While the lake's shrinking has been a visible concern, new research reveals a less obvious but equally alarming issue: the dust swirling into nearby communities may be far more frequent and harmful than previously believed, particularly for children under six. But here's where it gets controversial: could our daily habits and industrial legacy be silently poisoning our youngest residents?
Scientists have long known that the exposed lakebed contains toxic heavy metals from natural erosion and human activities like mining. When storms strike, this contaminated dust is carried into cities along the Wasatch Front. Previous studies primarily focused on respiratory risks, but a recent GeoHealth study highlights a new danger: ingesting this dust can be just as harmful. And this is the part most people miss: everyday actions like eating unwashed produce or touching contaminated surfaces can lead to accidental dust consumption.
"It's the little things we don't think about—like a child eating a carrot straight from the garden or a baby exploring the world with their mouth," explains Annie Putman, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and the study's lead author. With a nine-month-old at home, Putman’s research hits close to home. "Children’s smaller bodies make them more susceptible to higher doses of these toxins," she adds.
Putman’s study also uncovered a complex web of contaminants in northern Utah’s dust, including arsenic and lead. While arsenic occurs naturally in the lakebed, lead traces back to human activities like mining and historical gasoline use. Here’s the kicker: not all dust pollution comes from the lake. Industrial sites, gravel quarries, and even Superfund locations like the Ogden Defense Depot may be contributing to the toxic mix. This raises a critical question: How much of this pollution is our own making, and what can we do about it?
To gather data, Putman employed a simple yet effective method: dust filters made from cake pans, glass marbles, and plastic mesh. Placed across 17 sites in Davis, Weber, Box Elder, and Cache counties, these traps captured dust during the dry summer and fall of 2022, when the lake reached record lows. Analyzing the samples at the University of Utah, researchers identified isotopes to distinguish between natural and human-caused contaminants.
"Understanding the chemical composition helps us pinpoint the sources," says Diego Fernandez, a U. geophysics professor and study co-author. For instance, Bountiful’s dust pollution was linked to nearby quarries, while northern communities faced higher exposure from the lakebed.
Among the most concerning findings was thallium, a highly toxic element causing hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, and even premature birth. While Putman’s earlier research tied thallium to Kennecott’s copper mine, her latest study detected high levels near Ogden, far from Kennecott’s operations. Could this be a new environmental hotspot? Putman suggests the Ogden Defense Depot or nearby hot springs as potential sources, though more research is needed.
Many of Putman’s findings confirmed existing suspicions. Kevin Perry, a U. atmospheric studies professor, notes that areas northeast of Farmington Bay—lacking state air quality monitors—are hardest hit by lakebed dust. "This study validates what models and intuition have suggested," Perry says. "We urgently need monitors in these areas."
Interestingly, Putman’s traps collected significant dust even without major storms, suggesting smaller, unnoticed dust events may pose substantial risks. "We don’t know how often these occur, but their impact on small communities is undeniable," Perry adds.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is expanding its monitoring network, a move scientists applaud. Meanwhile, Putman’s study offers practical advice: wash hands, toys, and produce; remove shoes indoors; and use HEPA-filtered vacuums. But the most effective solution may also be the most challenging: preventing dust from leaving the lakebed altogether. While costly, this approach could safeguard public health for generations.
"Science should serve people, and that’s what drives this work," Putman emphasizes. Her findings not only highlight the lake’s plight but also call for collective action. What do you think? Is enough being done to protect Utah’s children from this silent threat? Share your thoughts in the comments.
