SCHOEMAKER/Algae Biotoxins at Local Lakes

[Guest guest]

No surprise to folks who read Mold Warriors. This is covered clearly and

with fascinating real world experience in other central lakes. Who actually

thought it would be limited to them?

Since Florida Dept of Health agencies have shown trouble thinking outside a

1980's box, and attack many with creative science, the only surprise is that

it took till 2006 to destroy other lakes. Do not hold your breath waiting

for real intervention. If the idea is not from their archives.....

Love this line: " According to the Department of Health, over time, the

toxins break down and

disappear. "

So if you have asthma, simply risk death, while we ignore the real causes

and look to the clique solution to all Florida issues--ignore it since it

does not happen here, and the water will wash all of our poor science help

away.

[] " Algae a Concern at Local Lakes "

> Here is the latest from my little corner of the world.

>

> Barbara

>

>

>

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/NEWS01/605190327/\

1010

>

> Algae a concern at local lakes

> Blooms emit a toxin that can make you sick

> By Jeff Burlew

> DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

>

> Harmful algae blooms producing a toxin that can make people and pets sick

> have formed in Lake , Lake Munson and Piney Z Lake, according to a

> new report.

>

> But Leon County officials say people shouldn't panic because of the

> report's

> findings. People who come into contact with the blooms can protect

> themselves by simply washing off the slimy, scummy water.

>

> McGlynn Laboratories, which has been testing lakes for the county, has

> found

> that levels of a toxin called microcystin are 27 times higher than World

> Health Organization drinking-water thresholds in Lake Munson and 10 times

> higher in Lake Piney Z. The toxic level is below the threshold in Lake

> .

> The blooms can choke the life out of lakes by consuming oxygen and

> blocking

> sunlight that organisms need. The toxic algae can drain from the lakes

> into

> the aquifer and eventually make their way into Wakulla Springs and

> possibly

> well water, said McGlynn, technical director of the lab.

>

> " This is the last stage in the life cycle of a lake, " he said. " It's very

> hard to get them to turn back. This is not what you want to see in a

> lake. "

>

> The blooms can form quickly because of pollutants, light and temperature.

> Swimming in water with the blooms can cause a skin rash, runny nose and

> watery eyes, and drinking the water can cause vomiting, diarrhea and liver

> problems. Also, invasive apple snails that can carry harmful parasites are

> thriving in the blooms.

>

> Theresa Heiker, the county's chief stormwater engineer, said people

> shouldn't become overly concerned. After McGlynn reported a bloom at Lake

> Munson last year, county officials determined that people could prevent

> skin

> irritation by washing off at public restrooms or by using spigots and

> hoses.

>

> " The contact with the water can be addressed by simply washing it off, "

> Heiker said. " I have seen nothing that indicates a problem with using any

> of

> our lakes or drinking-well water. "

>

> According to the Department of Health, over time, the toxins break down

> and

> disappear.

>

> Heiker said the county is working with the Florida Department of Health to

> determine whether the toxins are, in fact, getting downstream. She also

> said

> people would have to ingest substantial quantities of the toxin over a

> period of time to develop health problems.

>

> McGlynn, who is running for the Tallahassee City Commission, said the

> blooms

> are a byproduct of too much development and too few stormwater treatment

> ponds. He said more ponds - which Blueprint 2000 is planning on building -

> could fix the problem.

>

> " That's the only hope, " he said.

>

> How can you protect yourself?

>

> Anyone with symptoms that may be cause by contact with harmful algae

> blooms

> should call their doctor or the Poison Information Hotline at (888)

> 232-8635. For more information about algae blooms, visit the Web site

> www.floridamarine.org.

>

> Avoid contact with large mats of blue-green algae.

>

> Never allow children or pets to play in or drink scummy water.

>

> Don't water-ski or jet-ski over algae blooms.

>

> Don't use scummy water for cleaning or irrigation.

>

> If you come into contact with a bloom, wash thoroughly, paying special

> attention to the swimsuit area and a pet's fur.

>

> Contact reporter Jeff Burlew at (850) 599-2180 or jburlew@....

>

> Originally published May 19, 2006

>

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