California's Salton Sea is rapidly drying up, worsening air quality for people living near its shores. Authorities are working to stabilize the lakebed and lock down dust, but for some families, it's too late.

Michelle Dugan-Delgado, 35, has had asthma for as long as she can remember. She always carries an inhaler and face mask in case of dust storms. 'If I'm outside and a dust storm hits, there's a very high chance I'm going to catch something, which means I will end up in the hospital,' she said. Her younger sister Marie died of an asthma attack at age 16 in 2009.

Dugan-Delgado lives in the Coachella Valley, an agricultural hub in southern California. She believes poor air quality is to blame. The Salton Sea, California's largest lake spanning 343 square miles, is shrinking due to climate change and water diversion policies. Over the last 30 years, it has shrunk by about 20%, exposing toxic-laden sediment.

The lake was formed accidentally in 1905 when the Colorado River burst an irrigation canal. It became a holiday spot in the 1950s but has since declined. Studies show children living near the lake have disproportionately high asthma rates: 24% in one study vs. 7% nationally.

State and local authorities have launched projects to restore 30,000 acres of shoreline by 2028, using hay bales, native vegetation, and artificial wetlands. However, experts like climate scientist Amato Evan note these efforts require significant investment and resources. An early warning system for dust storms is also being developed.

Dugan-Delgado welcomes such measures but stresses the need for more education about respiratory risks. 'One death is too many,' she said.

Source: www.dw.com