What are the dangers of blue-green algae?
• They spoil water quality when present in large numbers by producing odours or thick scums. • They can make drinking water smell and taste bad. • They can make recreational areas unpleasant. • Dense blooms can block sunlight killing other plants and animals. • When algae decompose they may use up oxygen in the water and cause fish kills. • Some cyanobacteria that can produce toxins that are among the most powerful natural poisons known. These toxins have no known antidotes. The toxins are poisonous to humans and may be deadly to livestock and pets. • CyanoHABs can make people, their pets, and other animals sick. Often, the first sign that an HAB exists is a sick dog that has been swimming in an algae-filled pond. Children are at higher risk than adults for illness from CyanoHABs because they weigh less and can get a relatively larger dose of toxin. Are all blue-green algae poisonous? – No. There are many species of Blue-green algae. Some are not known to have any toxins, others have o
