The drying of the Great Salt Lake has been a hot-button issue for Utahns in recent years, with one major concern being the health risks associated with dust inhalation from the drying lake bed.

The lakebed of the Great Salt Lake contains heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, antimony, mercury, and cadmium, which are becoming increasingly exposed as water levels drop.

This metal-laden dust can be lifted by the wind and travel thousands of miles and stay suspended for weeks at a time, depending on the dust particle size and weather conditions. These airborne toxins can easily be inhaled and even ingested through produce.

Leafy greens exposed to Great Salt Lake dust have been found to retain these metals even after thorough washing. Some metals from Great Salt Lake dust are soluble in stomach acid, meaning that metals on these leafy greens can be absorbed into the body when consumed. In fact, some metals, including cadmium and lead, can have a three or four times higher absorption rate when dissolved by stomach fluids than when inhaled.

This poses a concern for those growing food in the area, as even small backyard gardens can be affected by windblown dust. It is essential to limit exposure and ingestion of these toxic metals. One way to do so is by implementing windbreaks around crops. 

For example, greenhouses and cloth covers can act as a barrier between dust and plants. Alternatively, planting taller, non-edible plants around sensitive crops can provide a more natural option to the same effect. It is also a good idea to avoid using overhead irrigation systems during dust events, as these can push dust particles onto plants.

By Jillian Perry