Salton Sea environment detrimental to respiratory health of local children

Newswise — RIVERSIDE, Calif. --In the US, impoverished migrant and minority kids frequently reside in regions with extremely contaminated air. A research initiative conducted by University of California, Riverside scientists reveals this situation concerning Latinx and Purépecha immigrant kids and guardians dwelling near Salton Sea in Inland Southern California. Salton Sea is an arid, saline lakebed enclosed by agricultural fields. The Purépecha community represents an Indigenous faction originating from Michoacán, Mexico.

"Latinx and Indigenous Mexican immigrant families' children, residing in proximity to the Salton Sea, face heightened susceptibility to the sea's ecological effects on enduring health conditions," conveyed Ann Marie Cheney, the study's lead author and an associate professor of social medicine, population, and public health at the School of Medicine. "Our research distinctively emphasizes caregivers' comprehension of the Salton Sea's influence on the well-being of children diagnosed with asthma or chronic respiratory ailments."

Cheney states that caregivers provide a distinctive viewpoint regarding the ramifications of the Salton Sea on children's health conditions. Their attentiveness to the environment and shifts in climate enables them to anticipate how these factors will impact the well-being of children.

"In spite of their profound comprehension of children's susceptibilities to environmental and climatic circumstances, caregivers frequently lack the means to advocate for their children," she explained. "By means of research, we can amplify their voices, shed light on their understanding of the environmental impact on health, and champion reforms in public health policies."

Cheney and her research team collaborated with a total of 36 individuals who took part in either focus groups or individual interviews. These participants resided in the northern region of the Salton Sea and were caregivers of Latinx and Indigenous Mexican descent, looking after children diagnosed with asthma and respiratory issues. Conducted from fall 2019 to spring 2021, the study employed community-based participatory research principles.

The participants described the environment surrounding the Salton Sea as highly toxic. They reported the presence of sulfuric odors, frequent dust storms, exposure to chemicals, and occasional fires. These factors were identified as contributors to the chronic health conditions experienced by children, including respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

In the interviews, participants 

• shared that during the hot summer months, the Salton Sea emits sulfuric smells, affecting children’s health
• noted that dust storms are pronounced during the hot summer months and increase respiratory symptoms and allergies, such as irritated and watery eyes, in children
• expressed concern about children’s exposure to agricultural chemicals from the nearby agricultural fields
• worried about local agricultural practices in which growers dump chemicals into the Salton Sea
• talked about the burning of garbage on nearby tribal lands and its effects on air quality
• explained how daily exposure to the Salton Sea environment contributed also to allergies and nosebleeds
• noted that when they remove their children from the Salton Sea’s environment, their symptoms improve.

Cheney emphasized the significant public health implications of their study for vulnerable child populations. She pointed out that the Salton Sea and its impact on the children and families residing in its vicinity serve as a glimpse into the future consequences of climate change in the coming decades. Without appropriate intervention, children, similar to those examined in the study, will be particularly susceptible to the respiratory health consequences of climate change and the adverse effects of compromised air quality on overall health.

The research paper titled "Latinx and Indigenous Mexican Caregivers’ Perspectives of the Salton Sea Environment on Children’s Asthma, Respiratory Health, and Co-Presenting Health Conditions" has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Cheney collaborated with a team of researchers for the study, including Gabriela Ortiz, Ashley Trinidad, Sophia Rodriguez, Ashley Moran, and Jaír Chavez from UCR (University of California, Riverside). Additionally, Andrea Gonzalez from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), and María Pozar from Conchita Servicios de la Comunidad in Mecca, California, contributed to the research.

The study received funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. However, it is important to note that the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official perspectives of the National Institutes of Health.

The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment is more than 26,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual impact of more than $2.7 billion on the U.S. economy. To learn more, visit www.ucr.edu.