Authority warning blue algae in the outdoor pool Plötzensee

Infants endangered: blue-green algae warning in the outdoor pool Plötzensee

08/06/2014

The Berlin State Office for Health and Welfare warns of blue-green algae in the outdoor pool Plötzensee. Especially for toddlers could pose a health risk from the toxins produced by the algae. Cause are probably the high temperatures.

High temperatures cause blue-green algae to grow
The State Office for Health and Social Affairs in Berlin warns against blue-green algae in the outdoor pool Plötzensee. Be careful with green or blue-green streaks in the water. The blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, have probably spread extensively due to the high temperatures in the natural bath in Berlin's Wedding district. As the agency announced on Tuesday, the toxins produced by the algae could be dangerous especially for toddlers. Bathers are advised not to bathe in obvious blue-green streaks or rugs and take a shower after bathing and change their bathing clothes as quickly as possible.

In addition to small children and allergy sufferers
Complaints, which could occur especially with sensitive persons, are for example skin problems, like an itchy rash. If larger amounts of water are swallowed, it may also come to the authorities to gastrointestinal complaints. Experts also associate blue-green algae with nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, skin and mucous membrane irritation, conjunctivitis, earache, headache or fever. Allergy sufferers and people who suffer from atopic dermatitis or asthma are advised by professionals to avoid any contact with blue-green algae.

In the summer more often blue-green alerts
In addition problematic in the outdoor pool Plötzensee is that the visibility is limited, which could make rescue work in an emergency difficult. In Germany, it comes in the summer months again and again to blue-green alerts. For example, a few days ago, warnings were issued of poisonous blue-green algae in the Hamburg Inland and Outer Alster. And at the beginning of last month, attention was drawn to a corresponding health risk on the Steinhuder Meer near Hanover. (Ad)