November 2004: Algae Toxin and Taste & Odor
“Algal blooms are known to cause major problems and to be a serious threat to the quality of drinking water supplies. Some species of blue-green algae produce taste and odor compounds such as geosmin and 2-methyl isoborneol. More importantly some species produce toxins which are also considered as possible “terrorist threats.” 40-60% of surface water utilities have experienced taste and odor problems caused by algae. Microcystis, one of the blue-green algae, produces an extremely poten toxin called microcystin LR and is associated withe the production of ß-cyclocitral, a tobacco/hay-smelling compound. These two issues overlap in many aspects.” Read more about Algae Toxin and Taste & Odor at the AWWA web site.

May 2004: Toxins Found in Algae in Several Nebraska Lakes.
State officials confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria in several lakes after receiving reports that dogs died after drinking form the lakes. Read more at the Nebraska Health and Human Services System site.

May 2004: ATSDR addresses frequently asked questions about copper toxicity.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has recently updated its answers to questions related to human health concerns associated with copper. Lay people may find these helpful in understanding concerns about the historic practice of using copper-based products in treating blue-green algae. Read more on the ASTDR web site.

Sept. 2003: Wisconsin youth's death attributed to algal toxins in pond.
The coroner's final ruling in the mysterious death of a 17-year-old comes after lengthy investigation of other potential causes. Read more in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Mar. 1998: Numerous deaths in Brazil attributed to toxins in water used for dialysis.
When water from a lake in Brazil was infested with microcystins produced by cyanobacteria, almost ninety percent of the dialysis patients at a nearby hospital became ill. Almost forty percent of the dialysis patients died, most from acute liver failure. Read more in the New England Journal of Medicine.

June 1989: University of Florida fact sheet summarizes concerns with copper sulfate.
Fact Sheet FA-13, one of a series of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, discusses concerns of using copper in aquaculture and farm ponds. Read the fact sheet.