Mercer Lake Health Advisory Lifted

March 6, 2003

Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180
Technical contacts: Michael Holcomb (503) 731-4012; Ken Kauffman (503) 731-4012

Today public health officials in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) lifted a health advisory for toxic blue-green algae in Mercer Lake, five miles north of Florence on the Oregon coast.

The advisory was issued last October to lakefront property owners, visitors and the public following the identification of a significant Microcystis aeruginosa bloom on Mercer Lake. Recent tests indicate there are no longer detectable toxic levels in the lake and the public health alert is no longer necessary.

Microcystis aeruginosa is known to produce toxins called microcystins, which can cause liver damage and other health effects in animals or humans.

The predominant species in bloom were the Microcystis and Anabaena species. Tests indicate the lake is now free of toxic levels of these species and there is no longer a health concern.

Additional information can be found on the Web at www.dhs.state.or.us/publichealth/envtox/mafact.cfm or by calling (503) 731-4012.
 

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Oregon Department of Human Services
Office of Public Affairs - Media Relations
500 Summer St. NE E25, Salem, OR 97301-1098
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214