---
[ PALM SPRINGS AREA ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area)
# Shrinking Salton Sea Puts 500,000 at Risk as Report Warns of Worsening Air Pollution Crisis
August 14 2025
Written by CityWatch.
[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)
CLIMATE WATCH - A new report released today by the [Pacific Institute](https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.bM0-2BWC-2FOE06azLXwVJYeIuCVATlM9oDHTE4nO0wiZfM-3D2y9e_rMeIF6jeYdp-2F9cCIX33oXl7fy-2BaUyKZ2xoLtY9knG78F8mbZ5-2B0L7HsFF69-2FwyzWqbfXoJY4OENPWHYHF5cgEbKnc5BCd4JuTXC8iIiA1aokG8fi8zOQBDZxHqRGVtfBgBTqt5zlbt5cWk-2FAoyNCi3Wn-2F9g9YVDQxbuLPWnyeKYvQA4iYMaDzRvFDW4goGNbEH-2Fvhe-2FNC-2Bv45TBWlIrQRmejpqDIp5PCPeN9c1C5bDUxI47H-2BIwdE09SAgl6GdJ30xoHJJBrgWiRAwYiVjVjyr8uHX4wITLWg7ZpQX0fSf4iIkITf0g3YD7Quu21dGtKjg2msqnoPRu3adfW7-2Fuc3JhZxXCxgoN3dHqV-2BhkXxMZY9c-2FCnbQpM1J1Api-2FKgLh), a global nonpartisan think tank, assesses the complex and growing air quality threats in the Salton Sea region of southeastern California and outlines more effective strategies to protect public health.
As the Salton Sea has shrunk by more than 60 square miles over the past 30 years due to reduced water use in the region, more dry lakebed—known as “playa”—has been exposed, contributing to dangerous dust levels in an area already burdened with some of the highest respiratory hospitalization rates in California. But the report finds that playa dust is only one piece of a broader pollution burden that includes unpaved roads, desert winds, farming practices, diesel emissions, and more.
“[Breathing Hazard: Air Pollution in the Salton Sea Region](https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.bM0-2BWC-2FOE06azLXwVJYeIlji-2Fr-2Bqi90xS2i7Qpbf0XY6Hn2TyZgZG-2BBsbq6QlrslgsSOVDBH6LH7HYT89vPK5eEsW53KFeBbGaXMv3xKXsVrsx0HapV-2BytJaZ4rFBf3fGMZriLN-2Bt7ouMV4R7bC9-2Fw-3D-3D6b8G_rMeIF6jeYdp-2F9cCIX33oXl7fy-2BaUyKZ2xoLtY9knG78F8mbZ5-2B0L7HsFF69-2FwyzWqbfXoJY4OENPWHYHF5cgEbKnc5BCd4JuTXC8iIiA1aokG8fi8zOQBDZxHqRGVtfBgBTqt5zlbt5cWk-2FAoyNCi3Wn-2F9g9YVDQxbuLPWnyeKYvQA4iYMaDzRvFDW4goGNbEH-2Fvhe-2FNC-2Bv45TBWlIrQRqBNcU2vULwMf-2F7uXDXsoC3UskzjQS76XjxykuL1-2BL-2FYZPAmY5JjWnyU08pr66o9zJGrW6ScxYHfMoinUbZueEtLx0RRfGe7osPFnfm-2BQrU7zljyqptfMx4P94UxbXc726NRNZVZL-2BIApISP8DbyIb4CQ7PiP5ORUltfVdBfeMvn)” synthesizes findings from dozens of published sources to improve understanding of what contributes to air pollution in the region and how to protect public health most effectively. The report highlights exposure control strategies—such as weatherizing homes, installing air filters, and issuing public alerts on days with poor air quality —as more feasible and cost-effective than attempting to manage emissions at the many sources that pollute the air.
“The Salton Sea gets most of the blame, but the problem is much larger than the Sea,” said [Michael Cohen](https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.bM0-2BWC-2FOE06azLXwVJYeIijUJ5F2NazKS8vleLMMiZmAjPcrtJs1wGonKHvW-2FA4jlpMrDH9fpH96tIVcXAtiaQ-3D-3DpCSw_rMeIF6jeYdp-2F9cCIX33oXl7fy-2BaUyKZ2xoLtY9knG78F8mbZ5-2B0L7HsFF69-2FwyzWqbfXoJY4OENPWHYHF5cgEbKnc5BCd4JuTXC8iIiA1aokG8fi8zOQBDZxHqRGVtfBgBTqt5zlbt5cWk-2FAoyNCi3Wn-2F9g9YVDQxbuLPWnyeKYvQA4iYMaDzRvFDW4goGNbEH-2Fvhe-2FNC-2Bv45TBWlIrQRvODJFijfu7aEvJFfUxopjlL2DZT-2B9OYfaF-2BvdcsGaRKMMghmBdskU9iEFYoXUnDSiLU83iwvfb4Og56Qt-2BBgXFbKbZ3Lo9SEvVPN8jZofxRqX3a555HUeSgrnMjcUbXrAzfYfuUXsbSVrzVzCgsm27FY7cGhcxRrBtGpiQMniKA), lead author of the report and Senior Fellow at the Pacific Institute. “Sources throughout the region emit a complex mix of dust, chemicals, and biological pollutants, threatening the health of more than half a million people. Protecting people where they live, work, and play—through exposure control—can offer the most immediate and effective public health benefits.”
The report also notes disparities in health outcomes and access to care, as many communities near the Salton Sea face high poverty rates, limited medical services, and elevated rates of asthma and respiratory illness, particularly among children.
While local and state agencies have invested tens of millions of dollars in dust suppression projects, the report finds that these efforts are not sufficient or cost-effective means to protect public health. The Pacific Institute recommends a coordinated effort between state and local agencies, public health experts, and community leaders to direct additional investments toward exposure control strategies and optimize public health benefits.
[Here is The full report. ](https://pacinst.org/publication/breathing-hazard-air-pollution-in-the-salton-sea-region/)
—XXX—
*(Founded in 1987, the Pacific Institute is a global water think tank that combines science-based thought leadership with active outreach to influence local, national, and international efforts in developing sustainable water policies. From working with Fortune 500 companies to frontline communities, our mission is to create and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. Since 2009, the Pacific Institute has also acted as co-secretariat for the CEO Water Mandate, a global commitment platform that mobilizes a critical mass of business leaders to address global water challenges through corporate water stewardship. For more information, visit [pacinst.org](http://pacinst.org).)*
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Power Savers)")
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")
## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays
Message
---
## Featured CityWatch Stories
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33349-l-a-county-faces-a-government-shake-up)
### [L.A. County Faces a Government Shake-Up](https://mail.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33349-l-a-county-faces-a-government-shake-up)
WESTSIDE - Currently larger than 40 states in terms of population with roughly 10 million residents, Los Angeles County…
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/voices/33346-before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves)
### [Before We Ask God to Judge Us, the Jewish People Must Judge Ourselves](https://mail.citywatchla.com/voices/33346-before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves)
Yom Kippur demands more than personal repentance. At a defining moment for Jews everywhere, it asks whether we have tru…
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/voices/33372-the-greater-israel-delusion-may-undo-israel)
### [The Greater Israel Delusion May Undo Israel](https://mail.citywatchla.com/voices/33372-the-greater-israel-delusion-may-undo-israel)
ANNEXATION - The vision of “Greater Israel” draws on maximalist readings of biblical verses, especially Genesis 15:18–2…
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/world-watch/33366-israels-political-map-is-being-redrawn)
### [Israel’s Political Map Is Being Redrawn](https://mail.citywatchla.com/world-watch/33366-israels-political-map-is-being-redrawn)
NETANYAHUISM - The next Israeli election may be about something larger than Benjamin Netanyahu. For the first time in a…
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33347-la-stop-the-war-on-cars-they-arent-going-away)
### [LA, Stop the War on Cars. They Aren’t Going Away](https://mail.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/33347-la-stop-the-war-on-cars-they-arent-going-away)
LA TRANSPO - For anyone traversing the San Fernando Valley, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Los Angeles is sp…
---
## [ PALM SPRINGS AREA ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area)
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33384-paul-bruggemans-the-man-who-made-dinner-feel-like-an-occasion)### [Paul Bruggemans: The Man Who Made Dinner Feel Like an Occasion](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33384-paul-bruggemans-the-man-who-made-dinner-feel-like-an-occasion)
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33376-879-720-in-la-690-995-here-and-price-is-the-least-interesting-part)### [$879,720 in LA. $690,995 here. And Price Is the Least Interesting Part.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33376-879-720-in-la-690-995-here-and-price-is-the-least-interesting-part)
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33327-cathedral-city-swears-in-rick-sanchez-as-new-police-chief)### [Cathedral City Swears In Rick Sanchez as New Police Chief](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33327-cathedral-city-swears-in-rick-sanchez-as-new-police-chief)
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33186-trio-closes-after-17-years-ending-a-palm-springs-dining-era)### [TRIO Closes After 17 Years, Ending a Palm Springs Dining Era](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33186-trio-closes-after-17-years-ending-a-palm-springs-dining-era)
[  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33154-why-are-movers-leaving-la-for-the-inland-empire)### [Why are movers leaving LA for the Inland Empire](https://mail.citywatchla.com/palm-springs-area/33154-why-are-movers-leaving-la-for-the-inland-empire)