Potential impact on human health of toxic cyanobacteria

Abstract Most of the attention directed towards the adverse effects of cyanobacteria on human health has focussed on acute poisoning. In all cases of reported community poisoning, the cause was a chlorinated drinking water supply. The supply reservoir, or river, or lake had a water-bloom of toxic cyanobacteria. Several cyanobacterial species have been identified in human poisoning, the most frequently implicated being Microcystis aeruginosa (Kutzing) Lemmermann. Individual poisoning has been largely due to recreational activities in rivers or lakes with water-blooms. Direct toxicity due to swimming in, and swallowing, cyanobacteria has been widely reported. Some cases appear to be primarily allergic responses. Neurotoxicity is also possible, from swallowed or inhaled cyanobacteria. In Australia the cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis Rabenhorst ex Bornet et Flahault produces paralytic shellfish poisons (e.g. saxitoxin), and we have a report of severe respiratory distress from a water-skier who was inhaling...

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