Microcystin Biotoxin Found at High Levels in Toad Lake
Recent testing at Toad Lake detected microcystins, a toxin produced by blue-green algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets. The toxin levels exceed the recreational guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State Department of Health.
The toxins were detected in floating algae mats at the water surface, which look like dark green, brown, or slimy carpet-like mats. The mats form at the bottom of the lake, attached to submerged rocks, sand, mud, or plants, and can break free and float to the water surface. The surrounding water can remain clear, making them hard to spot until they wash up on or near shore.
The main danger to people and pets comes from eating or swallowing the algae. Avoid touching, eating, or swallowing any algae and avoid areas where algae blooms or algae mats are present. Do not let children play with or handle algae mat material.
Pet owners are advised to keep their animals away from water with visible algae, or algae clumps on the shore. Immediately rinse off any algae on their fur with clean water, and make sure they do not lick off any algae from their fur.
Microcystin is a toxin that primarily affects the liver and may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, sore throat, blistering around the mouth, and pneumonia. This and other algae toxins are naturally occurring, although human and animal activity can impact the severity of freshwater algae blooms. Nutrients in fertilizer, pet waste, agricultural runoff, and wildlife waste provide food for algae growth.
You can learn more about harmful algae blooms on our website and by visiting www.nwtoxicalgae.org and www.epa.gov.
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