Risks of Exposure to Blue-Green Algae in Recreational Water
- Published:
- Updated: November 22, 2024
Summary
Blue-green algae, common in freshwater, can endanger health in recreational water:
- Microcystins, toxic compounds from blue-green algae, pose risks like liver damage and skin irritation.
- Exposure symptoms vary from skin irritation to respiratory problems and neurological symptoms.
- Nutrient pollution, climate change, and stagnant water contribute to blue-green algae blooms, prompting preventive measures like water quality monitoring and reducing nutrient pollution.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are small living things that thrive in freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds. They’re useful for the ecosystem, but blue-green algae can be extremely toxic to human and animal health if they get too high in water used for recreation.
Understanding Blue-Green Algae and its Health Hazards
Blue-green algae are single-celled and can photosynthesize – meaning they create their own food from sunlight and dissolved nutrients. Although rarely present in water, they can also breed very quickly and form blooms that make a lot of the algae quick. Such blooms are noxious to humans and animals because they can yield poisonous chemicals called microcystins.
Microcystins are powerful liver poisons that have many detrimental effects when consumed, breathed or even swabbed by humans or animals. Dermatitis, gastrointestinal disease, liver damage and death can all occur as effects of microcystin toxicity. There’s especially a danger of microcystins in recreational water, where people and animals can be swimming, boating or fishing in water that has been polluted.
Not all blue-green algae blooms are poisonous, of course, but it can be difficult to say if they contain microcystins in the wild, even without tests in the lab. That is why when you use recreational water, know your hazards and do not use it without caution.
Symptoms of Blue-Green Algae Exposure in Recreational Water
The symptoms of exposure to blue-green algae in recreational water can vary depending on the route of exposure and the severity of the contamination. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Skin irritation: Direct contact with contaminated water can cause skin irritation, rashes, and hives. This can occur when skin is exposed to the water, or when contaminated water is splashed on the skin.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Ingesting contaminated water can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can occur when people or animals drink the water or ingest it while swimming.
- Liver damage: Prolonged exposure to microcystins can cause liver damage, including liver failure and liver cancer. This is a serious concern for both humans and animals, and can have long-term health effects.
- Respiratory problems: Breathing in contaminated water droplets can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This can occur when contaminated water is splashed into the air, or when water droplets are inhaled while swimming.
- Neurological symptoms: In severe cases, exposure to blue-green algae in recreational water can cause neurological symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and even seizures. This is a rare but serious complication of exposure to blue-green algae, and requires prompt medical attention.
It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect that you or someone you know has been exposed to blue-green algae in recreational water. Early treatment can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent long-term health effects.
How Blue-Green Algae Contaminates Recreational Water
Blue-green algae can contaminate recreational water in several ways. One of the most common causes is nutrient pollution, which occurs when excess nutrients from sources such as agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge enter the water and encourage the growth of blue-green algae. This can occur when runoff from agricultural land, septic systems, and sewage treatment plants enters the water, providing an abundant source of nutrients for the algae to grow.
Climate change and increased water temperatures can also contribute to the formation of blue-green algae blooms. Warmer water temperatures can increase the growth rate of the algae, and can also create more favorable conditions for the blooms to form.
The presence of stagnant or slow-moving water can also increase the risk of blue-green algae contamination. This is because these conditions provide the ideal environment for the algae to grow and reproduce. For example, water in a pond or lake that is not regularly flushed by incoming or outgoing water is more likely to become contaminated with blue-green algae.
Most Vulnerable to Blue-Green Algae Exposure in Recreational Water
Anyone who comes into contact with contaminated recreational water is at risk of exposure to blue-green algae. Some groups of people may be more vulnerable than others, including:
- Children: Children are at a higher risk of exposure to blue-green algae because they are more likely to swim and play in contaminated water. They may also be more likely to ingest contaminated water, either by drinking it or by swallowing it while swimming.
- Pets: Dogs and other pets can be exposed to blue-green algae when they swim or drink contaminated water. This can be a serious concern for pet owners, as animals may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of blue-green algae.
- Outdoor workers: People who work outdoors, such as fishermen and kayakers, may also be at higher risk of exposure to blue-green algae. They may come into direct contact with contaminated water, or they may inhale contaminated water droplets while boating or fishing.
What Can be Done to Prevent Exposure to Blue-Green Algae in Recreational Water
There are several steps that can be taken to prevent exposure to blue-green algae in recreational water. Some of the most effective measures include:
- Avoiding contact with contaminated water: The best way to avoid exposure to blue-green algae is to avoid contact with contaminated water. This includes not swimming, boating, or fishing in water that is contaminated with blue-green algae.
- Monitoring water quality: Regular monitoring of water quality can help to identify areas where blue-green algae blooms are present. This information can then be used to alert the public and to take steps to prevent exposure.
- Reducing nutrient pollution: Reducing nutrient pollution is one of the most effective ways to prevent blue-green algae blooms. This can be done by reducing the amount of fertilizer used on agricultural land, improving wastewater treatment, and reducing the discharge of nutrients into waterways.
Improving water flow: Improving water flow in ponds, lakes, and rivers can help to reduce the risk of blue-green algae contamination. This can be done by creating channels or other structures that allow water to flow more freely, or by installing pumps or other devices that help to flush the water.
How to Identify Blue-Green Algae in Recreational Water
Blue-green algae isn’t always easy to recognise in a body of recreational water because it sometimes resembles other types of algae or plant material. Some of the signs that blue-green algae could be a part of are:
Dicoloured or painty water: Blue-green algae blooms will turn water green, blue, or brown. It could also be paint-like water, slippery or smooth.
Algae scum or mats on the water: Blue-green algae blooms can leave scum or mats on the water surface – similar to green, blue or brown paint. These scums or mats can also be strongly musty.
Dead fish or other aquatic species: Massive blooms of blue-green algae strip the water of oxygen and kill fish and other aquatic species. If you find corpses of fish or other organisms in the water, that might be a sign that the water is tainted with blue-green algae.
Health signs in humans and animals: If you or someone you know becomes sick after bathing in or around the water, this could mean the water is laced with blue-green algae. Skin infection, gastroenteritis, liver failure or asthma are some symptoms.
Long-Term Health Effects of Exposure to Blue-Green Algae in Recreational Water
Health effects from the blue-green algae in recreational water can be severe, ranging from liver damage to liver cancer and other chronic diseases. Chronic microcystin exposure damages the liver and leads to liver failure and other disorders. In the most severe cases, blue-green algae in swimming pool water can also induce neurological effects such as headaches, dizziness and even seizures.
Make sure you consult a doctor if you think that you or someone you know has come into contact with blue-green algae in swimming pools. Prevent long-term effects and alleviate symptoms when treated early.
Government Agencies and Local Communities Address the Risks of Exposure to Blue-Green Algae in Recreational Water
The government and municipalities are trying to address the dangers of blue-green algae in public waters. Among the measures in place are:
Inspecting water: Government officials are inspecting water in lakes, rivers, and other waterways for blue-green algae. We use it to warn the public and take precautions to keep out of the public eye.
Reduce nutrient pollution: Government departments and community members are trying to mitigate nutrient pollution, which is a leading factor in blue-green algae blooms. You can do this by reducing the use of fertiliser on farmland, wastewater treatment, and nutrient run-off into the waterways.
Increasing water flow: State and local governments are trying to increase the flow of water in ponds, lakes, and rivers so that the blue-green algae does not get contaminated. This is done by digging ditches or other barriers to let the water flow, or by putting in pumps or other apparatus to filter out the water.
Public education: State and local authorities are trying to acquaint the public with the dangers of blue-green algae in public waterways. This includes teaching about the signs of exposure, how to avoid getting in contact with polluted water, and what to do if exposed.
Blue-green algae in swimming pools are toxic to people and animals. If we know more about blue-green algae’s risk, the symptoms it can cause, and how to avoid exposure, then we can help minimise exposure and maintain public health.
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