Post by MELLY on Sept 5, 2005 5:25:58 GMT -5
OMG has anyone seen the Boating Lake lately??..Jeez wat a disgusting site!..Took Lars down to show him our lovely clear lake..Was embarrasing! Hmmm full of Blue algae which i gather is extremly poisonus!..This is 1 article about it...Really think they need a fountain or something!
Possible health effects from blue-green algae
People and animals may be exposed to blue-green algae in three ways: by ingestion (eating algae or drinking algae-contaminated water); by direct contact with the algae (swimming or wading in algae-contaminated water or handling algae); or by breathing in algae components.
People who swallow water contaminated with a toxic strain of blue-green algae may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, liver problems or muscle weakness. The more blue-green algae a person drinks or eats, the sicker that person may become. The episodes of severe illness and death in people and animals in other parts of the world have been caused by drinking algae-contaminated water.
Algae can be removed from water by filtration. Boiling contaminated water or adding disinfectants will not destroy all of the toxins produced by blue-green algae. It will kill the algae but in so doing releases the toxins into the water.
People whose skin comes into contact with a toxic form of blue-green algae through swimming or other activities may experience itching, rash, irritated eyes and ears, a sore throat or other hay fever-like symptoms. This may be caused by a person's sensitivity to the components of algae rather than actual toxicity.
Some people may also be sensitive to the components of algae that are released into the air, especially downwind from a large bloom. Those who have allergies or asthma may be at increased risk for irritation of eyes and airways (nose, mouth and throat) and possibly an asthma attack.
Precautions to take around blue-green algae
Any health risk from blue-green algae depends on how much algae you come in contact with and for how long, whether the algae is producing any toxins, and whether or not you are sensitive or allergic to the algae.
Therefore:
Limit exposure to water contaminated with blue-green algae. Boating is less risky than swimming; walking on the shore or fishing from a dock is less risky than being out on the water.
Don't wade or swim in water containing visible blooms, and avoid direct contact with dense mats of algae.
Don't drink the water or let children, livestock or pets get into or drink the water.
Avoid scum or dense buildups of algae near the edge of the water.
Do not drink untreated water from water bodies regardless of whether noticeable blooms are nearby. In addition to possible health risks from algal blooms, other gastro-intestinal illnesses can also be contracted by drinking untreated water, such as giardiasis, cryptosporidium, hepatitis A viral infection or E. coli-related diseases.
People who are prone to hay fever and asthma from environmental triggers should avoid algal bloom areas.
Causes of blue-green algae blooms
Although much is still to be learned about blue-green algae, known causes include:
Pollution of waterways with nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from sewage, fertilizer runoff, industrial effluent, etc.;
Poor water flow; and
Degradation of lake and river ecosystems through land clearing, agriculture and settlement.
Possible health effects from blue-green algae
People and animals may be exposed to blue-green algae in three ways: by ingestion (eating algae or drinking algae-contaminated water); by direct contact with the algae (swimming or wading in algae-contaminated water or handling algae); or by breathing in algae components.
People who swallow water contaminated with a toxic strain of blue-green algae may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, liver problems or muscle weakness. The more blue-green algae a person drinks or eats, the sicker that person may become. The episodes of severe illness and death in people and animals in other parts of the world have been caused by drinking algae-contaminated water.
Algae can be removed from water by filtration. Boiling contaminated water or adding disinfectants will not destroy all of the toxins produced by blue-green algae. It will kill the algae but in so doing releases the toxins into the water.
People whose skin comes into contact with a toxic form of blue-green algae through swimming or other activities may experience itching, rash, irritated eyes and ears, a sore throat or other hay fever-like symptoms. This may be caused by a person's sensitivity to the components of algae rather than actual toxicity.
Some people may also be sensitive to the components of algae that are released into the air, especially downwind from a large bloom. Those who have allergies or asthma may be at increased risk for irritation of eyes and airways (nose, mouth and throat) and possibly an asthma attack.
Precautions to take around blue-green algae
Any health risk from blue-green algae depends on how much algae you come in contact with and for how long, whether the algae is producing any toxins, and whether or not you are sensitive or allergic to the algae.
Therefore:
Limit exposure to water contaminated with blue-green algae. Boating is less risky than swimming; walking on the shore or fishing from a dock is less risky than being out on the water.
Don't wade or swim in water containing visible blooms, and avoid direct contact with dense mats of algae.
Don't drink the water or let children, livestock or pets get into or drink the water.
Avoid scum or dense buildups of algae near the edge of the water.
Do not drink untreated water from water bodies regardless of whether noticeable blooms are nearby. In addition to possible health risks from algal blooms, other gastro-intestinal illnesses can also be contracted by drinking untreated water, such as giardiasis, cryptosporidium, hepatitis A viral infection or E. coli-related diseases.
People who are prone to hay fever and asthma from environmental triggers should avoid algal bloom areas.
Causes of blue-green algae blooms
Although much is still to be learned about blue-green algae, known causes include:
Pollution of waterways with nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from sewage, fertilizer runoff, industrial effluent, etc.;
Poor water flow; and
Degradation of lake and river ecosystems through land clearing, agriculture and settlement.
..Even the childrens section where they have the paddle boats was filthy!..& lets b hones2 that pathetic apoligy of a shop that seems 2 b run by Teenagers with PMT should b sorted..They could have a nice place there that would attract visitors from everywhere with a bit of effort!...
please be respectful.