STATEHOUSE - (Oct. 23, 2009) - State Sen. Beverly Gard (R-Greenfield), who chairs the Environmental Quality Service Council, said today that persistently high and potentially dangerous blue-green algae counts in Indiana waters would be discussed in detail during Monday's 10 a.m. meeting in the Senate chamber on the third floor of the Statehouse.
Five experts are scheduled to testify on the issue of blue-green algae - a toxin-producing plant found in Indiana lakes - at the meeting:
- Dr. Lenore P. Tedesco, associate professor and Director of IUPUI's Center for Earth and Environmental Science;
- Bruno Pigott of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM);
- Dr. James Howell of the Indiana State Department of Health;
- Ron McAhron of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and
- John Ulmer of the Hoosier Heartland Resource Conservation and Development Council.
Some forms of blue-green algae are capable of producing toxins that can cause potentially serious health problems for humans and animals. When consumed, the algae can cause gastric distress, respiratory problems and, in rare cases, liver failure. A rash can also develop if skin comes in contact with the contaminated water and if immediate action isn't taken to clean the affected area. In some cases, public showers were made available so people could get immediate help in case of accidental contact with the algae.
State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis) has partnered with Gard to hold informational meetings at Geist Reservoir to discuss the problem and caution residents about water quality issues.
"This is a significant issue in Indiana and for residents of my Senate district," Merritt said. "We have worked hard to educate citizens who use Indiana lakes. It is imperative that citizens, researchers and state agencies work together to combat this growing problem."
Last summer, blue-green algae concentrations in both Eagle Creek and Geist Reservoirs, and the detection of microcystin toxin resulted in recreational usage advisories being posted by the Indiana State Department of Health for both reservoirs.
Problems with blue-green algae have persisted in recent years, to such a degree that state agencies and Veolia Water have partnered with IUPUI in the summer of 2008 to measure algae levels at Geist, upper Fall Creek and other waterways in an attempt to find causes and solutions.
"We've gone through three summers of this," Gard said. "It's now become a nationwide problem. I'm really glad I have the opportunity to make this a part of our agenda to study during this interim. Science and researchers like Dr. Tedesco will eventually help us find the solution to end this public health threat."
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