Water levels in the Great Salt Lake, Utah are almost at a record 58-year low and they are nine feet lower than average, according to the Daily Star.
The vast lake doesn’t usually hit lows until October.
Kevin Perry, chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah, warned that as the soil dries out, arsenic could be picked up by the wind.
A potential dust storm could cause breathing issues for humans.
The expert told CNN: “One of the concerns we have is the particles that are coming off the lake getting into people’s lungs.
“Fifteen to 20 years ago, when the lake was higher, most of these dust spots were covered up, and if you cover them up with water, they don’t produce dust.
And so as the lake has receded, it’s exposed more and more of that lake bed. As we get the larger area, we have more frequent dust storms.”
The scientist warned that the lake could “emit more dust” if its crust continues to erode.