Research has shown that toxins from these bacteria called microcystin can make animals and people sick when they come into contact with infected water of Lake Erie.

Key Aspects of the research

• Health Impact of Microcystin: Exposure to microcystin toxins, produced by harmful algal blooms, can worsen existing health conditions, including liver, gut, and lung diseases.
• Increased Inflammation in Lung Cells: When microcystin is aerosolized (made airborne), it significantly increases inflammation in lung cells, especially worsening conditions for individuals with asthma.
• Potential for Airborne Toxin Exposure: There is a possibility that microcystin becomes airborne as waves hit the shore or when boats disturb the water, potentially exposing people to toxins without direct contact with water.
• Long-term Monitoring and Sampling: Air quality samples are being collected and analyzed near Lake Erie to determine the extent of airborne microcystin exposure, marking the first year of such monitoring for the lake.
• Ongoing Community Health Study: The research includes a five-year study with 200 community members to assess how exposure to algal blooms impacts human health. 
  • This study includes lung function tests, blood sampling, and toxin measurements.
• Community Adaptation and Precaution: Local residents have become accustomed to using bottled water and avoiding lake water during blooms due to concerns over contamination and health risks.

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What is Microcystin?

• Microcystins represent a group of potent natural water contaminants. 
• Microcystins that result from the blooming of toxigenic cyanobacteria are known to cause severe poisoning episodes in animals and humans when present in drinking water in sufficiently high concentration. 
• So far, more than 60 microcystins have been characterized , all of which are hepatotoxic cyclic peptides.It is responsible for poisonings of livestock and humans.
  • It can produce potent liver toxins and possible human carcinogen.
• Microcystins inhibit the activities of protein phosphatase-1 and protein phosphatase-2A.

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About Lake Erie

• Location: Fourth largest of the Great Lakes, forming a boundary between Canada (Ontario) and the U.S. (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York).
• Key Tributaries: Includes the Detroit, Huron, and Raisin rivers in Michigan, and the Maumee, Portage, and Cuyahoga rivers in Ohio.
• Depth and Retention: Shallowest Great Lake, with an average depth of 62 feet and a maximum of 210 feet; water retention is only 2.6 years.
• Outflow and Islands: Drains via the Niagara River and hosts several islands, the largest being Pelee Island.
• Navigation: Essential part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, with access points in Tonawanda and Buffalo, New York.

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