Toxic algae warnings set another record
Iowa’s state park beach swimming areas set a second straight record for toxic algae warnings this summer, the Iowa Environmental Council reported based on state data.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued 37 warnings for microcystin, the toxin that blue-green algae emit at times. Scientists don’t have a good handle on what conditions lead to the emissions.
The previous record was 34 warnings last year. Microcystin can cause intestinal illness, rashes and even neurological problems at high concentrations. Site warnings are posted if the levels exceed health standards. Iowa does not close beaches.
“Unfortunately, this problem continues to persist and an increasing number of Iowans are being greeted by signs warning them to stay out of the water at their favorite shoreline spots,” Ann Robinson, agricultural policy specialist at the Iowa Environmental Council, said in a statement.
Since 2006, the DNR has issued 185 beach warnings for the toxin. Nearly two-thirds of those have been in the past four years. Sixteen of the 39 beaches monitored had warnings this year.
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