Shrewsbury residents urged to avoid contact with town’s ponds

Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Board of Health has issued a public health advisory due to the observation of high levels of cyanobacteria algae (blue-green) in Dean Park Pond and Jordan Pond. Individuals are being encouraged to avoid coming in contact with both bodies of water until further notice. The town will be working with environmental health specialists to better determine the extent and severity of the harmful algae.

Health concerns from harmful algae blooms and their toxins vary depending on the type of exposure, and the amounts of toxin present. The following recommendations are being offered to avoid algae exposure until further notice:

·       Do not swim in the ponds

·       Do not allow pets in water

·       Do not swallow water

·       Rinse skin off immediately after contact

·       Fishing is discouraged

Health Risks:

·       Contact with these algae can cause skin and eye irritation.

·       Ingesting small amounts can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Ingesting large amounts of toxins may cause liver or neurological damage.

·       Inhaling water spray with algae in it can cause asthma-like symptoms.

·       Small children and pets are more susceptible to the effects of toxins than adults.

·       Livestock and pet deaths from ingesting algal toxins have occurred.

For more information visit: http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov.

Short URL: http://www.communityadvocate.com/?p=25334

Posted by Community Advocate Staff on Aug 16 2012. Filed under Byline Stories, Shrewsbury, This Just In. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry