Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as cyanobacteria, are of concern because they can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. In addition, the blooms are unsightly and negatively impact recreation, tourism, and lakefront property values. There is a lot that is not known about what causes a harmful algal bloom to occur. It is known, however, that harmful algal blooms need the following: warm temperatures, sunlight, calm conditions, and nutrients. Nutrient pollution from human activities makes the problem worse, leading to more severe blooms that occur more often.

Occurrence

Harmful algal blooms have been common in recent years during the latter half of the summer on lakes within Cayuga County.

Health Risks

Harmful algal blooms, also known as cyanobacteria, are of concern as they can produce toxins that could pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large enough quantities. Health effects could occur when the blooms are swallowed while swimming or through contact with the skin.

Consuming water containing high levels of harmful algal blooms has been associated with effects on the liver and on the nervous system in laboratory animals, pets, livestock, and people. Direct contact or breathing airborne droplets containing high levels of harmful algal bloom toxins during swimming or showering can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat and inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Pets

Pet owners should keep their pets away from water experiencing algae blooms. If animals ingest the toxins either through drinking or cleaning their fur after exposure, they can become sick quickly.

As a reminder, the Cayuga County WQMA encourages the community and visitors to: Know It, Avoid It and Report It.

KNOW IT

Surface waters that are discolored with a paint-like or filmy appearance or floating scum should always be avoided as they are potentially harmful. Images of these types of blooms as well as non-harmful blooms can be viewed by visiting this New York State Department of Environmental Conservation link.

Weather

Weather influences where harmful algae blooms will occur. During extended periods of calm and sunny days, blooms can accumulate at the surface in any location. Wind and waves may cause them to form along shorelines or in protected areas. Shifts in wind direction can move a bloom from one location to another. Periods of cool rainy weather can often lead to the disappearance of a bloom.

AVOID IT

Blooms

Always stay away from blooms in surface waters. Never swim, fish, boat, wade or eat fish caught in areas with blooms. Bloom or no bloom, never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated or improperly treated individual surface water supplies.

During a bloom, individual surface water supplies should not be used for showering, bathing, or washing dishes even if treatment is provided. Public water supplies that draw water from surface water are treated, disinfected and monitored. The public would be notified if public water supplies are impacted by algal blooms.

REPORT IT

Reporting a Bloom

If you think that a bloom may be harmful, report it through the New York State’s new online HABs map and reporting system.

To find blooms, you can visit NYHABS, which is the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s harmful algal bloom notification map to view locations of freshwater HABs in New York State that were reported in the past two weeks. This webpage also has information on how you can report blooms you see.

If you see a bloom in Cayuga Lake, you can report it to Cayuga Lake HABs Leadership Team at http://www.communityscience.org/habreport/. The Community Science Institute has their own HABs database for Cayuga Lake at http://www.database.communityscience.org/hab.

Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1560.

Resources

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Documents:

 

If you have additional questions, contact the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1405 or [email protected].