svikes84
New member
Most of you are probably already aware of the danger but I thought I would post this for those who are not. The following is an article from my local newspaper:
A dog died during the weekend apparently as a result of exposure to toxic blue-green algae. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the dog's owner said the dog swam in Fox Lake in Martin County, on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13, and was dead within hours.
Blue-green algae "blooms," like those on Fox Lake and some other lakes around the state, can produce toxins. These toxins can be deadly to dogs or other animals if ingested, particularly when they clean themselves after contact with the water.
Blue-green blooms can occur throughout the summer, but the recent warm weather and lack of rain create ideal conditions for them. The MPCA has confirmed other blue-green blooms this summer but this was the season's first apparent animal death attributed to them.
MPCA staff who were in the area at the time of the report went to the lake to determine the severity of the bloom and collect water samples. Laboratory test results are pending. Field measurements and observations by Matt Lindon, an MPCA water quality specialist, found the algae conditions on Fox Lake were similar to other recent events where high levels were found.
"I saw a pretty good algal scum at the shore and took samples," Lindon said on Wednesday. "From the owner's description it appears the dog was affected by one of several toxins produced by blue-green algae. We'll look at the samples in the lab, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were elevated toxin levels."
Lindon said it's not always necessary to check specifically for algal toxins, as the agency has learned that when algae conditions look bad, it usually means the toxin could be present at levels of concern.
The MPCA cautions dog owners to keep their pets out of algae-laden water if possible, or to hose off the animals before they have a chance to lick themselves clean. Hunters who will soon be hitting the field with their dogs should also keep these precautions in mind, particularly if the warm dry conditions persist.
Lindon and other MPCA staff are part an interagency work group that has been spreading the word that blue-green algae blooms should be avoided. "When in doubt, best keep out," says a poster the group has distributed around the state.
Algae are microscopic aquatic plants and are a natural part of any aquatic ecosystem. There are hundreds of species. Under the right conditions, algae populations can "bloom" with dramatic growth, turning the water cloudy and green, a sight familiar to most summer-time lake-goers.
Most algae blooms are harmless. But blue-green algae, when present in high concentrations, can produce toxins which can affect humans or animals. Blue-green algae are found throughout Minnesota, but thrive particularly in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes.
Human deaths from exposure to blue-green algae are extremely rare, but human-health effects can include skin irritations and nausea. Young children are more susceptible than adults. Therefore the Minnesota Interagency Task Force on Blue-Green Algae discourages swimming in waters with obvious algae blooms. More information on blue-green algae blooms can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp-toxicalgae.html.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that a dog died last weekend after swimming in blue-green algae in Fox Lake in Martin County. Blue-green algae are common in Minnesota lakes during the summer.
Under the right conditions they can produce a potent neurotoxin which can be deadly to dogs and other animals that ingest it. The MPCA reminds people to use caution with water than looks or smells bad. A poster about blue-green algae distributed by the agency says, "When in doubt, best stay out."
A dog died during the weekend apparently as a result of exposure to toxic blue-green algae. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the dog's owner said the dog swam in Fox Lake in Martin County, on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13, and was dead within hours.
Blue-green algae "blooms," like those on Fox Lake and some other lakes around the state, can produce toxins. These toxins can be deadly to dogs or other animals if ingested, particularly when they clean themselves after contact with the water.
Blue-green blooms can occur throughout the summer, but the recent warm weather and lack of rain create ideal conditions for them. The MPCA has confirmed other blue-green blooms this summer but this was the season's first apparent animal death attributed to them.
MPCA staff who were in the area at the time of the report went to the lake to determine the severity of the bloom and collect water samples. Laboratory test results are pending. Field measurements and observations by Matt Lindon, an MPCA water quality specialist, found the algae conditions on Fox Lake were similar to other recent events where high levels were found.
"I saw a pretty good algal scum at the shore and took samples," Lindon said on Wednesday. "From the owner's description it appears the dog was affected by one of several toxins produced by blue-green algae. We'll look at the samples in the lab, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were elevated toxin levels."
Lindon said it's not always necessary to check specifically for algal toxins, as the agency has learned that when algae conditions look bad, it usually means the toxin could be present at levels of concern.
The MPCA cautions dog owners to keep their pets out of algae-laden water if possible, or to hose off the animals before they have a chance to lick themselves clean. Hunters who will soon be hitting the field with their dogs should also keep these precautions in mind, particularly if the warm dry conditions persist.
Lindon and other MPCA staff are part an interagency work group that has been spreading the word that blue-green algae blooms should be avoided. "When in doubt, best keep out," says a poster the group has distributed around the state.
Algae are microscopic aquatic plants and are a natural part of any aquatic ecosystem. There are hundreds of species. Under the right conditions, algae populations can "bloom" with dramatic growth, turning the water cloudy and green, a sight familiar to most summer-time lake-goers.
Most algae blooms are harmless. But blue-green algae, when present in high concentrations, can produce toxins which can affect humans or animals. Blue-green algae are found throughout Minnesota, but thrive particularly in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes.
Human deaths from exposure to blue-green algae are extremely rare, but human-health effects can include skin irritations and nausea. Young children are more susceptible than adults. Therefore the Minnesota Interagency Task Force on Blue-Green Algae discourages swimming in waters with obvious algae blooms. More information on blue-green algae blooms can be found at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp-toxicalgae.html.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that a dog died last weekend after swimming in blue-green algae in Fox Lake in Martin County. Blue-green algae are common in Minnesota lakes during the summer.
Under the right conditions they can produce a potent neurotoxin which can be deadly to dogs and other animals that ingest it. The MPCA reminds people to use caution with water than looks or smells bad. A poster about blue-green algae distributed by the agency says, "When in doubt, best stay out."
