According to a study, the desiccation of the Salton Sea in California’s Imperial Valley, exacerbated by climate change and competing water demands, poses environmental and health risks. The study, “Air quality and wheeze symptoms in a rural children’s cohort near a drying saline lake,” was published in Environmental Research in October 2024. Researchers investigated the impact of ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations on respiratory health in 722 predominantly Latino children, with exposure assessed through surveys and regulatory monitoring of dust storms. Results showed increased respiratory symptoms, including wheezing and bronchitis symptoms, among children living near the Sea, highlighting significant environmental justice concerns.
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