Illinois EPA launches new effort to warn public about dangers of
harmful algal blooms
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[July 22, 2013]
SPRINGFIELD --
With summer in full swing, Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnett announced last week a new
effort to help protect the public against harmful algal blooms that
are being found in lakes and streams across Illinois. The Illinois
EPA has just launched a new website,
http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/algal-bloom/index.html, with
information about how to spot blooms, where to report a problem and
what can be done to protect yourself and others.
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"With so many people enjoying the summer on the water, everyone
needs to know what to look for to avoid algal blooms," said Bonnett.
"It's important to be cautious and report blooms and not risk
exposure that could harm yourself or animals."
What are algal blooms?
Algal blooms are made of dense groups of blue-green algae, which
are naturally occurring microscopic organisms. They are frequently
found in and grow well in shallow bodies of water such as lakes and
streams that get a lot of sunshine. The strong color can often make
the water look like it's painted pea-green or blue-green, or a
reddish-brown. The blooms may also appear with scum or foam on the
water surface.
How can algal blooms be harmful?
While not always a danger, blue-green algal blooms are capable of
producing toxins that could harm the health of humans and animals
when they've been exposed to large enough quantities. Exposure can
come from recreational pursuits like swimming, boating, tubing and
other activities where people come into contact with or could
swallow the water.
The most common kind of algal toxin found in Illinois is
microcystin, which can cause rashes, asthma-like symptoms, abdominal
pain, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage or severe neurotoxicity,
depending on the length and level of exposure.
Water monitoring done by IEPA over the years has frequently shown
detections of microcystin, but concentrations were generally below
levels of concern. However, monitoring during last year's drought
has shown concentrations that can be harmful if not addressed. In
2012, one northern Illinois lake had a microcystin concentration
more than 1,500 times greater than acceptable World Health
Organization guidance values. Other lakes and rivers are also
showing concentrations significantly above acceptable levels.
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What precautions should be taken?
Don't swim, water ski or boat in areas where the water is
discolored or if there is foam, scum or mats of algae on the water.
If you come into contact with water that might have a harmful algal
bloom, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible. Don't let
pets or livestock swim in or drink from areas where water is
discolored, or if the water has foam, scum or mats of algae on it.
Don't let pets, especially dogs, lick the algae off their fur after
swimming in water with an algal scum. Don't irrigate lawns or golf
courses with pond water that looks this way or has a bad odor.
Don't drink the water. Boiling the water will NOT make it safe to
drink.
The presence or non-presence of algal toxins can only be
determined by lab tests. If you believe a body of water is showing
signs (strong discoloration or odor) of a harmful algal bloom, cease
recreational activities on the water and visit the IEPA's
algal bloom website. You can
report the bloom to IEPA by taking photographs of the bloom, filling
out a
Bloom Report (PDF), available on the website, and
emailing both to IEPA at EPA.HAB@illinois.gov.
IEPA will work with local authorities on a case-by-case basis to
appropriately handle the situation. One potential remedy is to close
the lake to the public until the algae concentrations go down.
IEPA will be working with other state agencies to address harmful
algae blooms.
For more information and pictures of what algae blooms can look
like, visit the IEPA's
algal bloom website
or contact Barb Lieberoff in the IEPA Office of Community Relations
at 217-524-3038.
[Text from
Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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