Blue Green Algae and Geist Agency Approaches Geist
Blue Green Algae and Geist: Agency Approaches Geist Public Meeting April 29, 2008 Indiana Department of Natural Resources Indiana Department of Environmental Management Indiana State Department of Health 1
Introduction Dr. Lenore Tedesco: CEES Dr. James Howell: Indiana State Department of Health Bruno Pigott: Indiana Department of Environmental Management Ron Mc. Ahron: Indiana Department of Natural Resources 2
Health Risk Associated with Recreation Use of Untreated Surface Water James Howell, DVM, MPH Diplomate, ACVPM State Epidemiologist Indiana State Department of Health 3
Untreated Surface Water Ponds, creeks, rivers, lakes, sea shores n Unfiltered to remove protozoa parasites n Untreated with chemicals to destroy bacteria or virus n 4
Viruses of Concern Hepatitis A n Enterovirus n ¨ 29 Coxsackie viruses ¨ 28 Echoviruses ¨ 5 other n Norovirus 5
Bacteria of Concern Campylobacter n E. coli 0157: H 7 n Leptospira n Salmonella n Shigella n Swimmer’s ear n 6
Parasites Cryptosporidium parvum n Naegleria n Swimmer’s itch n Acanthamoeba n 7
Toxins n Cyanotoxins are a diverse group of chemical substances that are categorized by toxic effects as follows: ¨Neurotoxins affect the nervous system. ¨ Hepatotoxins affect the liver. ¨ Tumor promoters - chemicals that can increase tumor growth. 8
Toxins n Cynobacteria ¨ Microcystins - liver, tumor promotor ¨ Saxitoxins - neurotoxin ¨ Anatoxin-a - neurotoxin ¨ Nodularins - liver, tumor promotor ¨ Lipopolysaccharide - inflammation ¨ Cylindrospermopsin – liver other organs 9
Cyanotoxin Human Health Effects n Skin ¨ n Inhalation ¨ n Rashes, hives, skin blisters Runny eyes and/or nose, sore throat, asthma-like syndrome, allergic reactions Swallowing Acute and severe gastroenteritis ¨ Liver toxicity ¨ Neurological symptoms ¨ 10
Effects on Pets and Domestic Animals n Drinking contaminated water may cause Photosensitization ¨ Liver failure ¨ Neurological ¨ n Signs and Symptoms Lethargy, muscle tremors, rapid breathing, ¨ Twitching, paralysis, convulsions ¨ n Can cause death 11
Fish from Contaminated Waters n Shellfish such as fresh water mussels can bioaccumulate toxins and should not be eaten n Healthy fish may be eaten, but should exclude liver and kidneys 12
Bottom Line n Risk of health effects is dose dependent Higher the level of toxin present, higher the risk ¨ Skin contact, nasal contact, ingestion n The route of exposure can increase the risk ¨ of health affects. 13
What a Recreational User Can Do n Wise users take certain sensible ¨ Prepare before entering the water: n n ¨ appropriate gear. Be sure to check weather conditions Bring While in n ¨ precautions: the water: groups Always supervise children Try to avoid consuming large amounts of water Recreate in When you’re finished: n Make sure you n Take time to shower clean your equipment 14
Blue Green Algae: What are We Doing to Improve Water Quality? Bruno Pigott 15
Water Quality Issues in the Upper Fall Creek Watershed n n 303(d) list of Impaired Waters 2008 Impairments in the Upper Fall Creek Watershed ¨ E. coli: n n n Fall Creek-Honey Creek Fall Creek-Sugar Creek/Deer Creek Fall Creek-Mud Creek/Little Creek Tributaries Sly Fork: Brandon Ditch Minnie Creek Tributaries ¨ PCBs in Fish Tissue: n n n Geist Reservoir Fall Creek/Devon Creek ¨ Mercury in Fish Tissue: n Fall Creek ¨ Taste n and Odor Geist Reservoir ¨ Algae n Geist Reservoir 16
Impairments Upper Fall Creek Watershed 17
Taking Action to Improve Water Quality n Citizen Action: Geist Residents are Organized ¨ n IDEM and other agencies work with watershed groups Central Indiana Water Resources Partnership Preliminary Report on Water Quality and Nutrient Cycling in the Watershed ¨ Reservoir Research ¨ n IDEM Watershed Work 18
IDEM Work in the Watershed n IDEM Sampling Upper Fall Creek Watershed ¨ 73 sites for: Nutrients n Metals n Chemistry n ¨ 30 sites for pesticides 19
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IDEM Work in the Watershed n An IDEM ¨ Cross Watershed Team: Section of IDEM Office of Water Quality programs including: n n n Drinking Water Permits Compliance Assessment Watershed Planning ¨ Purpose: n n Review Monitoring Data Review Permit, Compliance information in the Watershed Work with Watershed Groups Propose things we can do to improve Water Quality in the Watershed 21
Coordination CEES Monitoring Geist Reservoir n IDEM Sampling Upper Fall Creek n Watershed n n DNR and ISDH providing information Organizations and Agencies are Coordinating work to Leverage our knowledge 22
Going Forward: Ron Mc. Ahron 23
Pilot Project n n n Established Website: Algae. in. gov Samples from biweekly Monitoring Mid-May through Mid–October analyzed and posted Provide public with Information about: n Toxins from Algae n Risks associated with toxins n Precautions you can take n Information from other organizations n Several links to other websites 24
Conclusion Questions? n Dr. Lenore Tedesco, CEES n Dr. James Howell, Indiana State Department of Health n Bruno Pigott, Indiana Department of Environmental Management n Ron Mc. Ahron, Department of Natural Resources 25
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