Toxicologists are concerned after discovering a dangerous neurotoxin in the Great Salt Lake's dry riverbed.
The chemical—a neurotoxin known as BMAA—was discovered in dust particles by scientists from Bowling Green State University and Brain Chemistry Labs, which is based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A study highlighting the risks of this neurotoxin has been published in the journal Toxins.
Utah's Great Salt Lake has been drying up due to prolonged drought in the region and its water levels have reached historic lows. In November 2022, the lake reached its lowest level in recorded history at 4,188.2 feet, 17 feet below the level it should be.
As a result, more of the riverbed is exposed. The low water levels do not just pose a risk to surrounding wildlife and water resources, it also exposes the surrounding environment to toxic dust particles.
This newly discovered toxin, which contains heavy metals and bacteria, has previously been linked to illnesses that affect the nervous system, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a press release on the findings reported. This disease can cause muscles to weaken and eventually affects a person's ability to function physically.
Scientists from Dartmouth University previously found that there was a higher rate of those with ALS in people who lived near rivers that contained cyanobacteria. In most cases of ALS, it is not clear what caused it, although in about 10 percent of circumstances it is passed on through families.
The neurotoxin is also believed to be linked to Parkinson's disease and dementia, however more research into this is needed, the study notes.
This toxin gets blown in the wind to surrounding areas, making it a real health concern to the surrounding area of Wasatch Front, in Utah. If someone experiences exposure to the toxin for a prolonged period of time, it increases the chance of illnesses like ALS developing.
Scientists from Brain Chemistry Labs have been monitoring the BMAA in the Great Salt Lake to better understand the levels of exposure residents may be subjected to.
The discovery of BMAA in the Great Salt Lake has underscored a need to understand the risks of the neurotoxin, as well as its link with ALS.
Scientists have been concerned about the lake for some time as the drought continues to affect its water levels. And the exposed river bed of the Great Salt Lake can pose just as much of a danger to the surrounding community as the lack of water.
The water itself protects the air quality of the Western U.S. When large lakes like this dry up, the lakebed sediment can become toxic dust that lowers air quality.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
