Salton Sea’s toxic debris could have Imperial County residents at higher risk for COVID-19

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - What was once a luxurious getaway is now responsible for toxic dust storms that have caused asthma and other respiratory diseases on Imperial County residents. 

Luis Olmedo, the Executive Director of Comite Civico Del Valle Inc. says that in the wake of COVID-19 Imperial county residents are particularly vulnerable. 

“The entire region has failed to meet federal standards for air quality." 

The CDC says that people with asthma and respiratory disease may be at a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 as it can affect your respiratory tract. 

“There was a study released back in 2008 that did identify the Imperial Valley having high prevalence of asthma in school-aged children," said Olmedo.

Another 2019 study from USC shows that as many as three out of every ten people report having respiratory diseases in places like Brawley, Calipatria, and Westmorland — compared with about one out of 10 in California as a whole. 

“We are persistently exposed to polluted air and having high incidents of respiratory problems like COPD and asthma it does make us more susceptible and more vulnerable to the COVID-VIRUS.”

Local and State governments have yet to do anything about the Salton Sea or as some would call it an ecological disaster.