“The Hidden Cost of Living Near the Salton Sea: A Health Crisis Unfolding in Niland”

Five years ago, Lisa Clark and her husband made the decision to leave her hometown of El Centro for Niland, a small town of 500, in search of more affordable housing. However, they are now facing a hidden cost for living just two miles southeast of the Salton Sea.

Clark, a 56-year-old manager of the Oasis Mobile Village RV Park, has been experiencing worsening asthma since moving to Niland. Previously, she only needed to use one inhaler a year, but since the move, she has been using three. Her husband has also been experiencing similar health issues, leading them to believe that their health is declining due to the poor air quality in the area.

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, has been evaporating, becoming saltier and dustier over the years. This has led to breathing problems for locals like Clark, along with a constant “putrid dead smell” emanating from the water. A study by UC Riverside set to be published soon shows that the lake’s rotting odors have become a year-round nuisance for residents in cities near the lake.

Several factors contribute to the persistent stink around the Salton Sea, according to Caroline Hung, a researcher at UC Riverside. The lake is heavily polluted due to agricultural runoff from nearby farms, leading to rapid algae blooms and hypoxia. Bacteria in the lake produce hydrogen sulfide during decomposition, causing the foul smell to permeate the area.

While the stink itself is not toxic, it can cause headaches and nausea. However, researchers have found that the dust in the area is causing higher rates of asthma among residents. The dust carries bacterial toxins that are affecting the health of those living near the Salton Sea.

The air quality around the lake has also impacted local wildlife, with reports of fish dying due to oxygen depletion and increased salinity. The native tilapia population in the Salton Sea was nearly wiped out in the late 1990s, leading to a decline in fish-eating birds in the area.

Efforts to revitalize the Salton Sea have faced challenges, with a plan to infuse the lake with desalinated ocean water being rejected in 2022. However, there is hope that lithium deposits below the lake could be the key to revitalizing the area, attracting Silicon Valley industries for the precious mineral.

In the meantime, residents are advised to monitor air quality regularly and take precautions when pollution levels are high. Many residents, like Jonathan Shore who lives near the Salton Sea, have invested in air filters to mitigate the impact of poor air quality in their households.

For Clark and her husband, the move to Niland has proven to be costly in terms of their health and medical bills. They are now considering leaving California for states with better air quality. The ongoing challenges posed by living near the Salton Sea highlight the environmental issues facing the area and the need for sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life for residents.