Blue-green algae confirmed on Nepahwin Lake, Windy Lake: environment ministry

Environmental and public health officials in Ontario have confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae on two lakes in the Greater Sudbury area, the province announced Friday.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said it alerted the Sudbury area health unit about the presence of the algae on Nepahwin Lake and Windy Lake. Samples for testing were taken earlier in November, the Sudbury and District Health Unit said in a news release issued Friday.

• Can infrared technology be used to track blue-green algae?

The algae is noted for its pea soup-coloured appearance and foul smell, the health unit said, in addition to its ability to produce toxins which can cause skin irritation and if ingested, lead to diarrhea and vomiting.

Ingesting high levels of the toxins in the algae can result in liver and nervous system damage.

For those reasons, the public health officials said that people should not use or drink water from areas where blooms are visible.

The health unit also advised that highest concentrations of toxins are usually found in blooms and scum on the shoreline, which pose the greatest risk to people and pets.

Public health officials are advising that people take the following precautions if a blue-green algae bloom is discovered:

• Avoid using the water for drinking, bathing, or showering, and do not allow children, pets or livestock to drink or swim in the bloom

• Be aware that shallow drinking water intake pipes can pump in blue-green algae

• Do not boil the water or treat it with a disinfectant, like bleach, because it breaks open the algae cells, which releases more toxins into the water

• Do not rely on water jug filtration systems as they may not protect against the toxins

• Avoid cooking with the water because food may absorb toxins from the water during cooking

• Follow the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Guide to Eating Ontario Fish. Exercise caution with respect to eating fish caught in water where blue-green algal blooms occur. Residents should not eat the liver, kidneys, and other organs of fish