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Aquatic Microbiology Testing

Category Press Release
Publish Date 7/20/2020
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Recreational Water Users Warned of Harmful Algal Blooms in California Waters
Introduction LA Testing provides laboratory testing services and sampling supplies to identify aquatic contaminants and toxins that can help industries impacted by harmful algal blooms.

Huntington Beach, CA, July 20th, 2020

According to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) in California, observations of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins have increased globally over the past several years. This trend continues with the State Water Board recently issuing a media release urging recreational water users to be vigilant of HABs.

According to the release: … the State Water Resources Control Board is asking the public to be mindful of freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, as they can cause illness and are especially harmful to children and pets. Last year, the Water Boards received 240 reports of these blooms across the state.

These HABs can occur in both fresh and marine waters. Red tides, blue-green algae and cyanobacteria are all examples of HABs that can have a severe impact on human health, aquatic ecosystems and even the economy. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that although human illnesses caused by these HABs are rare, they can be debilitating or even fatal.

To protect against these exposure risks, the California Water Boards recommend that people practice healthy water habits while enjoying the outdoors this summer and:

  • Heed all instructions on posted advisories if present
  • Avoid algae and scum in the water and on the shore
  • Keep an eye on children and pets
  • If a harmful algal bloom is likely present, do not let pets and other animals go into or drink the water or eat scum/algal accumulations on the shore
  • Don’t drink the water or use it for cooking
  • Wash family members and pets with clean water after water play
  • If fishing, throw away guts and clean fillets with tap water or bottled water before cooking
  • Avoid eating shellfish if a harmful algal bloom could be present

 
“The aquatic specialists from our network of laboratories provide a wide range of testing services, including algal identification, algal biomass analysis and various algal toxins testing from water, air and soil samples,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility.

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about harmful algal blooms that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/JF8UnMJ84HU.

To learn more about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

 

According to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) in California, observations of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins have increased globally over the past several years. This trend continues with the State Water Board recently issuing a media release urging recreational water users to be vigilant of HABs.

 

According to the release: … the State Water Resources Control Board is asking the public to be mindful of freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, as they can cause illness and are especially harmful to children and pets. Last year, the Water Boards received 240 reports of these blooms across the state.

 

These HABs can occur in both fresh and marine waters. Red tides, blue-green algae and cyanobacteria are all examples of HABs that can have a severe impact on human health, aquatic ecosystems and even the economy. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that although human illnesses caused by these HABs are rare, they can be debilitating or even fatal.

 

To protect against these exposure risks, the California Water Boards recommend that people practice healthy water habits while enjoying the outdoors this summer and:

  • Heed all instructions on posted advisories if present
  • Avoid algae and scum in the water and on the shore
  • Keep an eye on children and pets
  • If a harmful algal bloom is likely present, do not let pets and other animals go into or drink the water or eat scum/algal accumulations on the shore
  • Don’t drink the water or use it for cooking
  • Wash family members and pets with clean water after water play
  • If fishing, throw away guts and clean fillets with tap water or bottled water before cooking
  • Avoid eating shellfish if a harmful algal bloom could be present

 

“The aquatic specialists from our network of laboratories provide a wide range of testing services, including algal identification, algal biomass analysis and various algal toxins testing from water, air and soil samples,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility.

LA Testing has also sponsored an educational video about harmful algal blooms that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/JF8UnMJ84HU.

To learn more about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

  

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.

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