|
|
Lake Champlain International
Clean Water. Healthy Fish. Happy People.
|
|
|
|
|
Breaking Research Has Dramatic Implications
for Health of Champlain Valley Residents
 | |
Algae blooms like the one pictured above on Lake Champlain have now been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lou Gehrig's by breakthrough research.
Image credit: Gould Susslin
|
For the first time, researchers have discovered that blue-green algae blooms are directly linked to several motor neuron diseases, including Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. With many Vermont and New York waterfront communities experiencing blue-green algae blooms every summer for decades now, such as St. Albans and Highgate, our local public health is greatly at risk.
The public health consequences of blue-green algae blooms is a priority issue of Lake Champlain International (LCI). For years, LCI, its members, and partners have been implementing and advocating for solutions that reduce inputs of phosphorus, the main nutrient that fuels algae blooms, from urban and agricultural water pollution runoff.  Many current land-use practices in neighborhoods, commercial properties, public spaces, and agricultural lands lead to runoff that carries pollutants, including phosphorus, into Lake Champlain. Solutions to these runoff issues are well-known, and many are considered simple solutions. Therefore, individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments have the authority and ability to make these simple and beneficial land-use practice changes that lead to significant public health improvements.
"Researchers have suspected that blue-green algae is tied to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's among others, but now that this link has been confirmed, the urgency of implementing meaningful actions is much more serious than ever before," said LCI Executive Director, James Ehlers. "The public health risk from these algae blooms to our neighbors and families is very real. To rid our communities of this threat, it will take courageous leadership from our elected and appointed officials with support from all of us."
Concentrations of Lou Gehrig's disease cases have been identified in towns near lakes with blue-green algae blooms including Lake Champlain and waterbodies in New Hampshire and other parts of the world. As reductions in water pollution runoff occur and the phosphorus that is already within Lake Champlain becomes unavailable to algae to feed on over time, instances of algae blooms are expected to decrease. This breakthrough discovery was made by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTC) and the Institute of EthnoMedicine in Wyoming. The article from UTC can be found here.
|
mychamplain.net | facebook.com/LakeChamplain | Donate | Become A Member
Lake Champlain International, Inc. (LCI) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization actively involved
in shaping the future of Lake Champlain's water quality and fisheries. Its mission is the conservation, restoration, and revitalization of Lake Champlain and its watershed. LCI educates, advocates, and motivates to ensure that Lake Champlain is swimmable, drinkable, and fishable. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
