Beware Of Blue-Green Algae

If you plan to be near the water this summer (and most of us do!), watch for blue-green algae, which can harm humans and pets, including illness if swallowed or inhaled in water droplets or irritation if rubbed on the skin.

When environmental conditions are just right, blue-green algae can increase in number to visible accumulations called “blooms.” Planktonic blue-green algae blooms float to the surface and form scums, paint-like conditions or “pea soup” water containing billions of tiny particles.

Stay Safe On And Offshore

• Do not swim in water that looks like pea soup or spilled paint, or water that has a scum layer, mats or puffy blobs floating on the surface. These may be blue-green algae, and the abundant particles can also host high bacteria levels.
• Do not boat, water ski, etc., over such water to reduce inhalation exposure.
• Do not let children play with scum layers, even from shore.
• Always shower after contact with any surface water whether or not a blue-green algae bloom appears to be present since surface waters may contain other species of potentially harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites.
• Always avoid swallowing untreated surface water because it may contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that could make you sick.
• When in doubt, stay out.

Symptoms of blue-green algal toxin poisoning in people include vomiting and diarrhea from ingestion and sore throat and wheezing from inhalation. Some people also experience skin irritation and rashes in areas where the algae are held against their skin under clothing.

Keep Pets Safe

• Do not let pets or livestock swim in or drink waters experiencing blue-green algae blooms.
• Always offer fresh, clean water for pets to drink instead of lake water.
• Wash pets off with clean water immediately after swimming so they don't lick any algae from their fur.
• Supervise pets when outside so they don't eat algal scum accumulated on the shore or floating mats of algae or drink lake water.
• If a pet eats grass, avoid using lake water for lawn irrigation if blooms are present.

Symptoms of water intoxication (from swallowing too much water) and heatstroke in dogs are similar to symptoms of blue-green algae toxin poisoning, including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and loss of coordination. Give dogs plenty of breaks from swimming and retrieving in lakes, avoid having dogs bite at splashed water as a game and use flat objects for retrieval instead of balls.