Health Issues with the Salton Sea by Brianna Arias

In the early 1900s, the Salton Sea was created by a breach in an irrigation system that resulted in flood and later, what we know as the Salton Sea. The event quickly became beneficial to the wildlife, as well as provided opportunities for recreation in the Imperial Valley.

However, as the years have gone by the Salton Sea is drying up due to a decline of inflows, which ultimately leaves a risk for wildlife and air quality in the area. Because of the decline of inflows, there isn’t much clean water available going into the Salton Sea. This leads to the water being polluted with chemicals, metals, and pesticides that are dangerous for consumption. As the Salton Sea shrinks, the winds will pick up sediments from the dry land and spread them into the surrounding cities and communities. Most of these communities happen to be low-income, therefore when their health becomes affected, most of the time, they can’t afford the healthcare that comes with it. The wind picking up debris and sediments from the Salton Sea has proven to have an impact on the communities. Asthma and other respiratory illnesses come from the affected air quality. Throughout the years, health issues have progressively gotten worse. According to the University of Southern California, as the Salton Sea continues to get smaller, the air quality will only continue to get worse. “Some experts have estimated that the sea will lose more than half its volume by 2030.” The dust from the Salton Sea has been tested several times to figure out what exactly is wrong with the air. Researchers have found chloride ions in the dust, suggesting that it has come from the Salton Sea. They have also found other elements, such as Black carbon that suggests that that toxin comes from rigs and other manufacturers. USC began conducting surveys and health screenings in 2017 to elementary school students where they would measure their lung capabilities and focus on issues such as asthma. They found that hundreds of students in local areas were experiencing harsh coughs and asthma. The Salton Sea has been an ongoing issue for several years now. It has taken a while for government action because of the expensive costs, but there is hope in the near future for a reconstruction of the Salton Sea.