AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HUMAN HEALTH RISKS OF LAKEBED SEDIMENTS AS A PROXY FOR DUST CHEMISTRY AT THE SALTON SEA

The desiccation of the Salton Sea and subsequent increase in dust-generating lakebed sediment exposure have raised concerns for the current and future health of local communities. Increased airborne particulate matter concentrations create increased risk of sediment inhalation, which has the potential to cause adverse health effects. The Salton Sea Region has already shown evidence of these adverse health effects, the most current data from the California Department of Health indicated Imperial County asthma rates, emergency department visits related to asthma, and rates of hospitalization for asthma above the California state averages from 2019-2020. Due to the changing environmental conditions presented by the shrinking Salton Sea, this study used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the impact of these environmental conditions on community health by attempting to link geochemistry, air quality, and human health. Exposed lakebed sediments from the Salton Sea were used as a proxy to better understand dust generation and dust chemistry by physically separating samples into >38um and <38 um fractions, with <38um fractions representing those most likely to become dust. The <38 um sediments were exposed to four synthetic bodily fluids; lung, gastric, saliva, and tears, in experimental conditions that simulated inhalation, ingestion by mouth into the stomach, and particles entering and interacting with the eyes. These synthetic bodily fluids were then analyzed for trace elements to determine their bioaccessibility and subsequent health risks using EPA Human Health Risk Assessment calculations. This project explores the health risks for a child resident, adult resident, and agricultural worker with a particular emphasis on As, Mn, Se, Cu, Cr, and Pb. The results of this study provide valuable information to inform future citizen science projects as well as advocate for policy related to air quality and dust mitigation at the Salton Sea.