Status of state cyanoHAB outreach and monitoring efforts, United States.

Abstract

A widespread effort is underway to improve awareness of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) across the United States using a variety of monitoring programs and public health outreach measures to protect people, pets, and livestock. To determine the status of cyanoHAB outreach and monitoring efforts, 2 questionnaires were distributed to health/environmental departments in 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). One questionnaire focused on cyanoHAB exposure to humans from drinking water and the second targeted exposure through recreational activities. All states plus DC responded to the recreational survey; 46 states plus DC responded to the drinking water survey. All states except Alaska answered that microcystins were the cyanotoxins of greatest concern for recreational exposure; microcystins were also of greatest concern for drinking water with the exception of Utah (anatoxin-a in reservoirs was greatest concern) and Rhode Island (microcystins and anatoxin-a in reservoirs/ponds were greatest concern). Regional comparisons disclosed a lack of cyanoHAB programs in southern states relative to northern states that may be related to the higher percentage of water surface area in northern states. Interestingly, recreational outreach is more extensive than drinking water outreach (only 16 states reported having some type of drinking water outreach program, compared with 35 states with recreational outreach), and preferred outreach methods are websites and press releases. Additionally, respondents reported very limited funding for outreach and monitoring programs. Our results establish baseline information to help determine what future direction cyanoHAB outreach and monitoring programs can take at local, regional, and national levels.