The Air Gets Gross
Wildfires obviously worsen air quality, and drought increases the risk and severity of fires. But drought harms air quality in other ways, too. Dust (like the kind that can carry Valley fever) gets kicked up. Plus, dry conditions might also contribute to ozone pollution because of how they hamper plants’ ability to absorb harmful particles.
All in all, drought is bad for our lungs. And the combo of hot weather and drought that’s currently sweeping the country is even worse. A study found that risk of death is 21% higher on days when both air pollution and temperatures are high.
If the western drought continues unabated, there could soon be new air quality concerns as Utah’s Great Salt Lake dries out, exposing a toxic lake bed.
