Dust storms are getting worse—Let’s not add fuel to the fire

Utahns experienced another alarming dust storm this past Sunday, with severe winds sending massive clouds of dust into the air across the state. A Fox13 article confirmed that much of the dust likely came from active mining and quarry operations throughout the Salt Lake Valley—highlighting how industrial activity is directly worsening our air quality.

This dust contains tiny particles known as PM10, which can lodge deep in the lungs and trigger or worsen heart and lung conditions. Dr. Mallia warns in the Fox13 article that during these events, it’s best to treat dust exposure like wildfire smoke—stay indoors when possible and avoid exertion outside.

Knowing this, we must ask: Why would we allow even more dust sources to be created?

Right now, Granite Construction is proposing a massive open-pit limestone quarry in Parley’s Canyon—one of the last scenic gateways into Salt Lake City. If approved, this mine would create a new source of dust and pollution that could worsen already dangerous air quality across the Wasatch Front. This project could increase regional dust emissions by more than 200 tons per year—adding to the toxic load already harming our lungs and threatening the Great Salt Lake. You can take action and speak out against the proposal here.

We are already losing too much ground to dust. Let’s not accept another self-inflicted wound. No new mines. No new dust.

Meanwhile, the drying of the Great Salt Lake is setting the stage for a public health catastrophe. As the lakebed is exposed, winds pick up arsenic, mercury, and other dangerous particles, blowing toxic dust into our communities. This is one of the largest emerging dust sources in the western United States—and it’s growing. Unless we act fast to restore water to the lake, Utah’s dust problem will go from bad to apocalyptic.

That’s why we’ve filed a lawsuit against the State of Utah. The state has failed to address the root cause of the lake’s decline: the overconsumption and diversion of water, especially for agricultural uses like alfalfa—much of which is exported overseas. Our legal action aims to compel the state to protect public health by ensuring water once again reaches the lake.