Cyanobacteria is blue-green algae. It is found in different types of water like freshwater lakes and bays. Recently the algae blooms have grown more rampant than they have in past years in the waters of Wayne County: Sodus Bay, East Bay, Blind Bay and Port Bay. These are called HABs (Hazardous Algae Blooms)
I never knew that algae could be a hazard until I read about these blue-green algae blooms. They produce toxins that are highly poisonous. Some of the many side effects due to cyanobacteria exposure are rashes, asthma symptoms, gastroenteritis, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity and neurotoxicity.
Infected water can have an effect on a vast amount of people. Occupations that involve irrigation such as farming and landscaping are at high risk for exposure. Those who fish or participate in other water activities. People who live in more rural areas and get their drinking water from wells or from untreated water sources are at high risk. It is also important to note that children, who may be playing in the affected water, are at higher risk for toxicity due to their smaller size.
It is important that physicians take a proper history of their patients so they can take note if they are in one of these higher risk groups and be more aware of the signs and symptoms of cyanobacteria toxicity.
The county appears to be trying to take all the necessary measures to keep people safe. They advise against drinking any water other than what comes from a treated source. They have closed beaches. There are also recommendations of activities to avoid such as irrigation. There is a golf course on Sodus Bay that may use water from the bay for irrigation on their course. I am curious if they do use bay water, are there are any precautions taken for their workers and the golfers who visit their course?
http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/Blue%20Green%20Algae%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf
http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/2011%20Wayer%20Quality%20Connection.pdf
http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/Facts%20from%20cdc%20Blue%20Green.pdf
http://www.co.wayne.ny.us/2011%20bluegreenalgae.pdf
This is a really interesting issue that affects everyone in the community. Like you pointed out Liz, this can have severe impacts on those who work and live off of the land, or even those who are exposed in their activities of daily life. It brings to mind the fact that as physicians, we will need to be vigilant about keeping up with not only occupational hazards, but also environmental hazards that can effect everyone. What may at first appear to be an occupational hazard may turn out to be a far larger issue for the community as a whole.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteI found this article quite interesting and also quite sad. Being from Upstate NY myself I cannot imagine a summer with out swimming in a Lake or a Bay. The effects of these Hazardous Algae Blooms are clearly widespread, not just limiting swimming, but also affecting how people procure water and food. I found it interesting that the children are at higher risk secondary to smaller size, I have never thought about that before. It is surprising that the golf course on Sodus Bay is allowed to use Bay water for irrigation, I am interested to hear if you find out why they are allowed to use that water and also if there are any precautions that the workers must take, as you mentioned above. As Kathryn commented, it will be extremely important that we as practitioners are aware of the potential occupational and environmental hazards that exist in the communities in which we serve.
Liz
ReplyDeleteYou selected quite interesting topic about Cyanobacteria presence in frehwater lakes.I agree with you that farming and landscaping are occupations at high risk for exposure and people in rural area who use drinking water from unteated water resources. We as medical professionals have important role about education of people in these rural areas and raising awarenes about Cyanobacteria presence in freshwater sources.