Are there health effects by contacting an algal bloom?
Contact with an algal bloom (both toxic and non-toxic species) may cause a number of human health problems including: • skin rashes • eye irritation and redness • ear aches • itchiness • swollen lips • hayfever symptoms • asthma • possible skin tumours • gastroenteritis Certain species of algae can also produce toxins that can contaminate shellfish and make them unsafe to eat.
