- Avoid swimming or unnecessary contact with blooming waters, i.e. when the water shows distinct signs of algal bloom: the water is no longer as clear as usual, it is covered by an obvious blue-green or yellowgreenish - yellowbrownish surface film, or is markedly turbid by very fine filaments (like almost centimetre long, thin hair) or small blue-green "grains" looking like very small pine needles. Also, be careful when the bottom is not visible at depths greater than ca. 0.5 - 1 meter in connection with situations where the previously mentioned conditions are met.
- Do not let children or domestic animals be on shores or in waters with algal blooms. Both children and domestic animals are high-risk groups, especially the latter group (which among others includes dogs, sheep, cows and horses).
- Do not use water from algal bloom areas for drinking or for cooking. Cooking does not destroy the toxins.
- Contact a doctor or a veterinarian if children, adults or domestic animals show symptoms of illness after swimming/contact with algal bloom waters.
- Inform local/regional authorities about the presence of blooms when you discover them.
For further information about health risks
see for instance "Algal blooms - Some questions and answers", the parts about health risks.
As information services vary between countries we cannot provide any further information about where to turn to if you would like to know more than what is presented on our pages.
Further information (in Sweden):
The Information Office for the Baltic Proper can provide more general information. However, most of it is already presented on this web site. Telephone: +46-(0)8-785 51 18.
Swedish Poisons Information Centre (Giftinformationscentralen), in case of emergency dial 112 and ask for Poison Information (24 hours a day). For general information about acute poisonings dial 08-33 12 31 (only during day).
National Veterinary Institute (Sweden), questions concerning sick animals, phone 018-67 40 00 or the closest veterinarian.
Local medical information services. For telephone number see the telephone directory.
