Toxic dust from shrinking Salton Sea harming children's lung growth in California

The Salton Sea, California's largest lake, is shrinking and exposing its toxic lake bed to the wind. As the water disappears, dangerous dust gets picked up and blown into nearby communities.

Researchers from USC and UC Irvine studied 700 children in the region and found clear evidence that this dust is slowing their lung growth. Kids living closest to the Salton Sea showed the worst effects.

The Salton Sea was created by accident in 1905 when the Colorado River broke through irrigation controls. For decades, it received agricultural runoff and urban wastewater, making the lake bed rich in harmful chemicals and pollutants.

Now as the lake shrinks due to drought and reduced water flows, more of that contaminated lake bed is exposed. Wind storms pick up the toxic dust and carry it to surrounding communities, many of which are low-income areas with large Latino populations.

The research adds to growing concerns about environmental health risks in the region. State and federal agencies have promised funding for dust control projects, but progress has been slow.