Delta Health Warning

[friggin old guy]

Here's something that was posted in the iwindsurf discussion forum today:

Folks,

I want to give everyone a head's up that there is a nasty toxic algal bloom in the Delta right now. THIS IS NOT A JOKE OR INTERNET HOAX. I am a Delta ecologist & part of a large research program that studies the region. Just two weeks ago, my colleagues measured seriously high levels of a toxic blue green alga (Microcystis) at Antioch, which is located at bit downstream of Sherman Island. They measured 1.3 million cells/mL, which is much higher than the 40,000 cells/mL level that triggers a warning to AVOID SWIMMING. Note that these levels were measured during flood tide--our team believes that the toxic levels will be MUCH higher during ebb tide. Other sites in the Delta (Mildred Island) also are at unhealthy levels. In response, San Joaquin County is currently posting warning signs to this effect.

We don't know exactly why the blooms have appeared in the Delta. However, there is some evidence that the toxic blooms have been becoming progressively worse since 1999. "Stable flow conditions" tend to promote blooms, so it is possible that the drought conditions this year have made things worse in the Delta.

At the risk of triggering a wave of paranoia, I personally won't be sailing there until the risk subsides. This may not be until later in the fall!So...what should you do? I am not a public health official, so I can't tell you. However, you should realize that the stuff you are planing over may not be very healthy for you. If you go out, please consider the following: 1) try not to fall too much (duh); 2) don't swallow; 3) keep the kids and dogs out of the water (similar Microcystis levels killed dogs in the Klamath River last year); 4) wear a full suit to avoid contact; 5) confine your sailing to the Sacramento River side of Sherman Island (where there will be less San Joaquin River water).

BTW, please don't be too discouraged if I don't respond to subsequent posts. I'll be fully occupied at an SF conference this Saturday-Thursday.

Dr. Ted Sommer
California Department of Water Resources

For those who want to follow the discussion and are iwindsurf members, here's the link:

http://forums.iwindsurf.com/viewtopic.php?t=13179

Should cut back on the crowds over the weekend?

[davewsail]

Dr. Ted, if the levels are that high, why aren't there any visible scums present? I found this document which explains the health effects (from the state of Wisconsin). It sounds like the biggest risk is swallowing the water -- vomiting, liver failure?? Also causes skin and eye irritations in swimmers-- duh happens to me every time at the delta.

http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/Water/fs/C ... riaLHD.pdf

Another study I read said the following:

Continuous low-level exposure to microcystins may also result in hepatic accumulation. Studies have shown that, once taken up by the liver, microcystin excretion occurs very slowly (31,34,35). Bioaccu-mulation of microcystins has been demonstrated in laboratory animals (31) and in aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates (44). These results raise concerns that long-term exposure to even very low levels of microcystins may be significant, and could ultimately result in liver cancer and other liver diseases.

Although it is widely recognized that exposure to microcystins in drinking water represents a significant health risk, the potential for microcystin exposure may be substantially greater for consumers of BGA products. Because M. aeruginosa blooms are seasonal events, microcystin concentrations in surface waters tend to be sporadic, thus allowing for regular clearing of microcystins from the liver and recovery from possible injury. However, BGA for use in dietary supplements is harvested during the bloom season and is then processed and distributed all year. Thus, if the BGA is contaminated with microcystins, the toxin exposure is continuous throughout the year. In addition, the intake of toxins from drinking water is naturally limited by water consumption rates (average 1.5-2 L/day), whereas there is virtually no limit to how much BGA can be consumed. Users of these products have reported consumption rates of as much as 20 g/day. Thus, potential exposure to microcystin toxins in BGA products is much greater than exposure through drinking water.

Makes it sound like even if we are exposed we can recover in the winter windless season. Unless you eat BGA (Blue Green Algae)-- stay away from the Spirulina.

http://www.ehponline.org/realfiles/memb ... -full.html

In the end I guess it comes down to a personal choice. Sounds very reminiscent of warnings about consuming saccharin and such. Maybe we should all get drysuits like Jeff.

[Bulldog]

Look what one poleboarder posted on that forum:

"Actually, thanks for the heads up DR. Ted, and do keep us posted. Were these algal bloom levels above the acceptable range last year at this time?
BTW, I'm not telling any of the Kiters! "he-he""


I felt like I had the flu on Monday morning after 4 days in a row kiting at Sherman... but then, I kited four days in a row and totally worked myself. I was fine by Tuesday night.

[jono]

Dr. Ted:

Thanks for the warning, we always like to know what kind of nasty sludge we are getting into.

I gotta have some fun with this -- it's just too temping and after my sickness from Sherman, I get to rip the place up a bit as payback...;)

<total_satire_you_should_actually_heed_the_docs_warning>

"I want to give everyone a head's up that there is a nasty toxic algal bloom in the Delta right now."

Head's up? My head was plugged up for a month and a half. I had some of this shit bloom in my nose. Wanna a tissue culture, I'm sure it would advance science and the useful arts. I think it was incubating for about 3 weeks before the 'bloom.' This is not a hoax, it's well documented right here:
https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/vie ... php?t=4520
[seriously, that was an evil sinus infection, you do not want what I had]

This is the same shit I blew out about 3 weeks after I got the infection -- I knew something was stuck up there!



How many of you have seen and crashed hard into the slick of this scum on the water?

"We don't know exactly why the blooms have appeared in the Delta."

Global warning seems like a good explanation. Or for the drought. Or for the big storms we'll have this winter. Did you know people can *sail* through the Northwest Passage right now -- no ice. Algal blooms seem totally within the realm of possibility.

"At the risk of triggering a wave of paranoia, I personally won't be sailing there until the risk subsides."

Ah, good idea, we need more paranoia. I too thought there were too many people at Sherman last weekend in the high winds -- I personally saw 5 near-death-experiences. This should cut down on the semi-committed crew and the toxic bloom will probably lead to the commitment of the rest of us.

Thanks, I feel much better now.

[windhorny]

I still believe in George Carlin's theory that we will live forever if we swim in a river of shiit everyday.

[Loscocco]

George Carlin is one of my favorite comedians. His rants are insane...
Life Worth Losing
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 2290004125.


I have had a minor case of the Sherman itch this week after spending the weekend there. I wish the coast was blowin.

[zgur]

Just one more reason to NOT come to the delta. Health risks. It's hot and the wind wind sucks anyway, so don't come there. Save gas and stop global warming in the process.

Z.

[jowall]

3) keep the kids and dogs out of the water (similar Microcystis levels killed dogs in the Klamath River last year);

I don't need to parse that for meaning.

Makes turd ave sound clean.

-john

[friggin old guy]

Hey......just to make it clear, I'm NOT Dr. Ted, just lifted the posting......not sure if the concern is overblown or not but thought it worthwhile passing the info along.

I go surfing after it rains too, so I suppose I'm not going to let this stop me IF the wind cranks back up......but it doesn't give me any incentive to go out if it looks like I'll be sloggin'.

JW

[Proparoo]

Sounds like a small price to pay for great kiting... :rolleyes: