Dust, fire, and your health
The ongoing drought is increasing the risk of two extremely hazardous types of pollution- dust, and smoke.
Last weekend’s dust storm gave the Wasatch Front a small taste of what’s to come as a result of the shrinking Great Salt Lake. Winds are blowing up dust from exposed lakebed right into our air and our faces, making it impossible to ignore. Researchers have found heavy metals from human activity in the lake bed, including arsenic.
“Water also has not managed to reach the Great Salt Lake. Last July, the lake’s elevation dipped to 4,191.3 feet above sea level, falling below a previous record low set in 1963. The lake ultimately sank to 4,190.2 feet in October, which is its current lowest point in recorded history. The lake sits at 4,191.1 feet right now, and water managers expect it to drop an additional 2 feet over the summer, setting a new record” the Tribune writes on the drought.
Lack of water also creates the perfect conditions for wildfires to rage. We advocate against the use of wood stoves for the same reasons that we are concerned about increased wildfires. Wood smoke is one of the worst types of pollution we can breathe. It contains carcinogens similar to cigarette smoke.
This state needs to make major changes to stabilize our water supply.
