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What health problems have been linked to toxic dust around the Aral Sea?

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The rapid shrinkage of the Aral Sea exposed the former seabed, which is frequently swept by winds that create toxic dust storms. This dust is heavily contaminated with salt, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, leading to severe health consequences for the local population, particularly the Karakalpaks in the southern region.21

Inhabitants of the area have experienced unusually high rates of various health problems, including:

Throat cancers2
Anemia2
Kidney diseases2

In addition to these conditions, the region has suffered from some of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. The contamination has also affected the broader environment by poisoning local drinking water and food sources, such as vegetables, further exacerbating the health crisis for those living along the sea's former shoreline.21