Look out for that green scum in area waterways as summer heats up

The summer green scum is back in Michigan waters, signaling harmful algal blooms.

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency Environmental Health Director Paul Andriacchi said nothing has been confirmed yet in the three-county district, but there is a nearby suspected site. "We just want to get the word out because of conditions," he said.

Rain and hot weather may mean danger in area waters creating scum, foams, globs, mats, and green sheens, possibly indicating harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick.

Michigan Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy reported a bloom in Pine Lake in neighboring Cass County which.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency warns when conditions are right, such as plenty of nutrients, warm temperatures, plenty of sunlight, and relatively calm conditions, cyanobacteria blooms grow fast.

Outbreaks were confirmed in two of the last three years in Hillsdale County lakes.

The blooms in the water can be green, blue, purple, red, brown, yellow or white.

Avoid suspect waters

Here are health tips if you see discoloration in your lake, pond or stream.:

• Stay out of the water, and don't let children or pets play in or near the shoreline where you suspect a harmful algal bloom. People can limit their risk of exposure by using an unaffected part of the lake.

• Stay out of the water even if no scum is visible, but you cannot see your feet when standing knee-deep. Avoid bathing, immersion of the head, and ingestion of water.

• Avoid recreational water sports like boating and jet skiing in visible scum or waters with a strong greenish coloration.

• After coming ashore, shower or wash to remove algal material.

• Pets that come into contact with what could be an algal bloom should be rinsed off with fresh water immediately to keep them from licking contaminated water from their coat.

You cannot tell if an algal bloom is harmful by looking at it. Suspicious-looking algae can be reported to EGLE by calling the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278 or sending an e-mail with photos to AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov .

The Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports map is now available online at Michigan.gov/HABsMap.

Symptoms of Contamination

• Skin contact may cause irritation, such as rashes, hives, or skin blisters. It may also cause runny eyes and nose or asthma-like symptoms.

• Contact with water spray from recreational water sports, like boating and jet skiing, may cause skin, eye, nose, or throat irritation.

• Swallowing large amounts of water with cyanotoxins may cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches, dizziness, or difficulty breathing.

• Frequently swallowing or swallowing large amounts of cyanotoxins can harm the liver or kidneys.

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Those with symptoms should contact health care providers or veterinarians.

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Look out for that green scum in area waterways as summer heats up