Blue-green algae as a cause of human disease
Martin, P.R.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 114(13): 1531-1533
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 8079249 Document Number: 424643
Blue-green algae can cause significant public health problems. There is an abundance of scientific literature on their effects, but much of it either reports laboratory studies of toxicological effects or discusses practical problems affecting water supply. There are many reports of poisoning, of farm animals and wildlife, and a number of reports of adverse health effects in humans, but the effects of blue-green algae on human health do not seem to have attracted serious attention amongst practicing physicians. It is probable that the occurrence of blue-green algae in algal blooms in the aquatic environment, often with production of toxins, will continue to increase as a result of human activity. It thus seems important that clinicians should become more aware of their effects. On this background the author briefly summarizes proven and potential adverse effects on health.