Ohio EPA Announces New Advisory System for Algal Bloom Toxins in Public Water Systems

Source: The Hannah Report

The Ohio EPA announced that is has created a new multi-tiered advisory system that will notify the public when microcystin, a toxic compound produced by blue-green algal, and other harmful agents are detected in public drinking water systems throughout the state.

The system has been developed as part of the agency’s annual review and is being introduced as the first anniversary of the city of Toledo issuing a ban on drinking tap water after toxins were found in its system. (See The Hannah Report, 8/4/15.) Ohio EPA said it has been updating its strategy for battling the blooms since 2011. In addition to the advisory system, this year’s strategy includes new health advisory levels from the U.S. EPA.

According to the Ohio EPA, the U.S. EPA established national health advisory levels earlier this summer for microcystin and cylindrospermopsin based on drinking water over a 10-day period. While exceeding these advisory levels may not trigger an immediate do not drink advisory, potential health effects can occur from longer exposure to higher levels of these compounds in drinking water. In response, Ohio EPA and partnering agencies have established public notification protocols based on U.S. EPA’s proposed guidelines as part of a Public Water System Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy. New Ohio communication protocols include initial alerts when microcystin is first detected, with consumption and use advisories for public water systems to follow.

The advisories are as follows:

• Microcystin detected in treated water - Use or consumption of water is not restricted. An advisory is not in effect. The public water system is adjusting its treatment efforts to bring microcystin levels down. Additional sampling and testing are ongoing as Ohio EPA and the public water system work together to keep the public informed as the situation is resolved.
• Microcystin detected in treated drinking water at higher than 0.3 micrograms/liter (µg/l) over a period of time - the following individuals should not drink the water: bottle-fed infants and children younger than school age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, those with pre-existing liver conditions and those receiving dialysis treatment. These individuals may be more susceptible than the general population to the health effects of microcystins. For these individuals, alternative water should be used for drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth and preparing food. As a precautionary measure, the elderly and immune-compromised individuals may want to consider using an alternate water source for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and preparing food. The public water system, Ohio EPA, local and state public health and emergency response agencies are working together to respond and the public water system is working to reduce microcystin levels and will keep the public informed as the situation is resolved.
• Microcystin detected in treated drinking water at higher than 1.6 µg/l over a period of time. – do not drink the water. For all age groups, alternative water should be used for drinking, making infant formula, making ice, brushing teeth, and preparing food. The public water system, Ohio EPA, local and state public health and emergency response agencies are working together to respond and the public water system is working to reduce microcystin levels and will keep the public informed as the situation is resolved.

In the event that any of these advisories are issued, the Ohio EPA said additional instructions will be provided concerning water use, information on actions being taken to resolve the situation and notification when the advisory is lifted. All use advisories due to harmful algal blooms are available at ohioalgaeinfo.com.

Story originally published in The Hannah Report on July 16, 2015. Copyright 2015 Hannah News Service, Inc.