WHAT IS TOXIC
ALGAE OR
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?
* Toxic Algae has been found
in a number of
Nebraska lakes this spring and summer.
* Toxic algae thrives in
stagnant water during warm weather with drought or near
drought conditions.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR TO AVOID TOXIC
ALGAE?
* Water that has neon green,
pea green, blue-green or reddish-brown color
* Water that has a bad odor
* Foam, scum, or a thick mat
on the water surface
* Green or blue-green streaks
on the surface, or accumulations in bays and along
shorelines
where pets and toddlers have easy access and the water is
shallow and more stagnant.
IS IT SAFE TO
EAT FISH FROM LAKES THAT ARE KNOWN TO CONTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF
TOXIC
ALGAE?
* The toxins
have been found in the liver, intestines, and pancreas of
fish. Due to potential for accumulation of
these toxins in fish, it is recommended that
anglers consider practicing catch
and release.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH THESE
TYPES OF
TOXINS?
* Pets and farm
animals have died from drinking
water containing toxic algae.
* Toxic algae
poisons have been known to last in water for as long as two
weeks after the bloom has disappeared.
* While the risk to humans is
mostly skin rashes and blisters, there have been
instances of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, as
well as liver disease.
* Other external symptoms
include: mouth ulcers, ulcers inside of the nose, eye
and/or ear irritations, blistering of the lips,
sore throat (symptoms increase significantly
with the duration of water contact and the
density of the lake).
* Other symptoms from
ingestion include: headaches, muscle pains,
central abdominal pain, seizures, liver
failure, respiratory arrest and death (severity of
the illness is related to the amount of water
and toxins ingested).
* The poison can be fatal
WHAT YOU
CAN DO & WHAT TO
AVOID
* Be aware of
areas with visible algae and keep
animals and children
away from water.
* Don't wade or
swim in water containing visible algae, avoid direct contact
with dense mats of
algae.
* Don't drink water or let
children, livestock or pets get into the water. Remember
boiling the water does NOT make it safe
to drink.
* Make sure
children are supervised at all times when they are near water.
Drowning, not exposure to algae, remains the
greatest hazard of water recreation.
* If you do come in contact
with the algae or the water around algae blooms, rinse
off with fresh water as soon as possible.
* If you are wading in knee
deep water and can't see your feet, get out of the
water
immediately and wash well.
* Don't boat or water ski through
algae blooms.
* Remember, drinking water
containing toxic algae can be potentially fatal, so avoid any situation that
could lead
to swallowing contaminated water.
IF I
THINK MY LAKE IS AFFECTED, WHO DO I
CALL?
If
you believe that your lake is affected, please contact the:
Department of Environmental Quality's Surface Water Section
at: (402) 471-0096
CAN I TAKE SAMPLES AND FIND OUT
RESULTS?
As part of the University of Nebraska
Water Quality Extension Program, UN-L has developed a
Volunteer Monitoring Program. Lake test kits are included
in the sample collection process for those that involve
lake users, owners etc. To obtain more infromation and a test
kit please contact:
Southeast District Health Department
877-777-0424
