By Tyler Treadway
May 22, 2017
TC Palm
People living in areas with significant blue-green algae blooms, including the Treasure Coast, are more likely to die from nonalcoholic liver disease than those who don’t.
Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties make up a striking “cluster” with a high rate of both blooms and deaths, according to Ohio State University researchers. It’s the only such cluster in Florida and one of 65 scientists found nationwide.
In fact, the death rate from liver disease not related to alcohol was nearly twice as high in the four counties as the national rate during the 12 years of the OSU study, according to data calculated for TCPalm by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the study found a suspicious link between the toxin, called microsystin, that’s commonly found in blue-green algae, called cyanobacteria, it did not go so far as to confirm that blooms cause liver disease, especially not in particular individuals.
To continue reading and to see the graphics included in the article, please visit TC Palm’s website: http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/health/2017/05/22/ohio-state-university-study-links-toxic-algae-blooms-fatal-liver-disease/100971180/