Harmful algal blooms, also referred to as HABs, are overgrowths of algae in water that can occur almost anywhere across the globe. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that HABs are a major environmental problem in all 50 states and warns that algal blooms can be toxic so people and pets should be kept away from water that is green, scummy or smells bad. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also reports that although human illnesses caused by HABs are rare, they can be debilitating or even fatal.

Harmful algal blooms can occur in both fresh and marine waters. Red tides, blue-green algae and cyanobacteria are examples of HABs that can have severe impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems and the economy. In addition to potentially producing extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals, harmful algal blooms can:
• Create dead zones by depleting oxygen in the water
• Raise treatment costs for drinking water
• Hurt a wide range of industries that depend on clean water

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), harmful algal blooms are affected by a complex set of physical, chemical, biological, hydrological and meteorological conditions, including excessive nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen. Nutrient pollution from human activities makes the problem worse, leading to more severe blooms that occur more often.

In May of 2019, the EPA released “Recommended Human Health Recreational Ambient Water Quality Criteria or Swimming Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin” to address human exposure concerns. Microcystins and cylindrospermopsin are two types of toxins produced by cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae which can be found in freshwater and marine ecosystems. The recommended magnitude for microcystins is 8 µg/L and 15 µg/L for cylindrospermopsin.

These are just a few things to know about harmful algal blooms and their impact on the environment and communities. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.

Clark Seif Clark [ Ссылка ]
EMSL Analytical, Inc. [ Ссылка ]
LA Testing [ Ссылка ]
Zimmetry Environmental [ Ссылка ]
Healthy Indoors Magazine [ Ссылка ]

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