Healthy Environments

Blue-green algae blooms are a natural seasonal phenomenon that may appear in lakes, rivers and ponds. Some species have the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to people and animals. Toxins are released into the water when the algae cells are damaged or begin to decay. Direct contact with the toxin can cause skin irritation and if ingested in higher concentrations, may result in vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

If you live or use a lake or waterway, be on the lookout for blue-green algae. If you spot a bloom, please take these precautions and report the bloom to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Park's Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.

• Use an alternate source of water; boiling the water or using home water treatment devices will not destroy the toxins.
• Do not use the water for drinking or for food preparation, including infant formula;
• Avoid using the water for washing dishes and clothes; 
• Avoid eating fish caught from areas where an algae bloom is present; 
• Use of the water is not recommended for animals; pets and livestock can also be affected; and
• Avoid swimming and other water sport activities that could increase the risk of ingestion and/or skin contact as the toxins can irritate the skin.

Watch this video: What causes blue-green algae blooms?

Waterways affected by blue-green algae

Climate change means the long-term shifts in weather patterns and nature, caused by too many greenhouse gases in the air. These changes affect people’s health by making extreme weather, like heatwaves, happen more often, changing how diseases spread, and making it harder to find enough food and clean water. Human activity is the main cause of climate change. It’s important to take action against climate change to protect our health and ensure healthy vibrant communities for our future.

Public Health’s Response to Climate Change

Northeastern Public Health has already started to address, manage, and respond to the effects of a changing climate together with our communities. Many of our services and programs that aim to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change include:

• Raise awareness about the health risks associated with climate change among the public, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
• Providing weather alerts and health information about extreme heat, extreme cold, and air quality.
• Control and prevent diseases influenced by climate change, such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
• Collaborate with local governments community organizations, and key partners to advocate for climate change mitigation strategies, such as sustainable transportation, energy efficient buildings, and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Surveillance and inspections of food and water sources that may be negatively influenced by climate change.

The Northern Ontario Climate Change & Health Collaborative (NOCCC), a committee of multiple northern Ontario health units, has released a report on the links between climate change and human health in northern Ontario. The report, titled Changing Climate and Health in Northern Ontario: An overview of the health impacts of climate change in Northern Ontario, provides information on the health impacts of climate change relevant to the region. It will help northern public health units and others to plan adaptation strategies to deal with climate change. The report explores:

• What we know about climate change in Northern Ontario,
• Special factors that may affect the health impacts of climate change in the north,
• Suggestions about adaptation strategies to deal with those impacts, and
• Issues such as extreme temperatures, extreme weather events, food and water contamination, and diseases spread to humans from animals and insects.

Changing Climate and Health in Northern Ontario was produced as part of a project funded by Health Canada’s HealthADAPT Program that included all of the northern public health units in Ontario. They will use the report to inform internal climate change policies and share it with partners to support a coordinated approach to addressing the health impacts of climate change across the region.

Click here to access the Changing Climate and Health in Northern Ontario Report.