As summer gets underway, NHS Fife is reminding people to look out for blooms of potentially hazardous blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) in the region’s waterways.
Blue-green algae are tiny organisms which develop naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and the sea. In still and slow-moving waters, the algae can multiply during the summer to such an extent that they discolour the water making it appear green, blue-green or greenish brown. Shoreline mats of blue-green algae may appear and are usually coloured brown to black. Sometimes a scum may form on the surface of the water.
Some blue-green algae release toxins into the water. It is not possible to tell by looking which algae do or do not produce toxins. People and animals can become unwell through contact with water affected by blue-green algae blooms. NHS Fife is advising the public, especially people undertaking water sports, anglers and dog owners, to be particularly vigilant and avoid contact with algal blooms.
People such as paddle boarders, wind surfers and swimmers who come into contact with blue-green algae scum or who accidentally swallow affected water can suffer from skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, or pains in muscles and joints. These symptoms are usually mild, but in some cases can be severe.
Fish caught in waters affected by blue-green algae blooms should not be eaten and should not be fed to pets.
The risk to small animals like dogs is significant over the summer months as they tend to drink more water in the heat and may eat shoreline crusts of algae. Dog owners should prevent their pets from coming into contact with affected water.
Where monitoring reveals higher than acceptable levels of algal bloom, warning notices will be posted at the affected waterways.
Anyone who finds water which they suspect is affected by blue-green algae blooms and which is not displaying a warning sign, should contact their local environmental health service.
Further information about blue-green algae in Fife is available online here.
You can also download the Bloomin’ Algae app and help monitor blooms across Scotland and the UK.
And the Blue Cross provide information for dog owners.
[ENDS]
Notes for editors:
- Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) exist in fresh waters in Great Britain and throughout the world; they are noticed when their concentrations increase to form “blooms” and when they form scums – looking like blue-green paint – or when they collect on the shore line as scums or mats.
- Some blue-green algae may give rise to adverse medical effects - but not always. Effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints. Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock, dogs, water-birds and fish. The treatment of water supplies removes blue-green algae and additional treatment may be applied to destroy or remove toxins should they arise. The actions currently taken are precautionary.
- Algal blooms can come and go, and the level of its toxicity can fluctuate. It can appear one day, be dispersed by the wind and mixing, and re-accumulate at any time.
