HABs FAQ
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Frequently Asked Questions
On March 31, 2022 EPA-SNEP hosted an all-day virtual workshop with over 40 HABs experts throughout the SNEP region to discuss how to better improve HABs Risk Communication throughout the region. This workshop was designed to identify commonly asked questions and to begin to gather answers and additional resources to address those questions. The SNEP team has worked to compile this information into the following FAQ Tool.
Resources/Links
- https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs
EPA main website for cyanoHAB information; includes numerous sub-topic pages - https://www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/climate-change-and-harmful-algal-blooms
EPA website information on HABs and climate change - https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/climatehabs.pdf (pdf) (172 KB)
EPA fact page information on HABs and climate change - https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/about/
CDC main website for information on HAB-Associated Illness; Included sub-topic tabs for Illness and Symptoms; protect Yourself and Your Pets, etc. - https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/36648
CDC FAQ on cyanobacteria blooms - https://www.mass.gov/guides/cyanobacterial-harmful-algal-blooms-cyanohabs-water
MassDEP main website for cyanoHAB information; Includes a list of FAQs (What are cyanobacteria? What are cyanoHABs? etc.) - https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-for-local-health-on-responding-to-cyanohabs/download (pdf) (1.4 MB)
MADPH cyanobacteria guidance for local Boards of Health - https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/cyanobacteria-blue-green-algae
Main RIDEM website for cyanobacteria information, primarily for info on current and past advisories - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/shellfsh/pdf/hab-faq.pdf (pdf) (97 KB)
RIDEM FAQ for harmful algal blooms, primarily related to marine waters. - https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/harmfulalgaeblooms/
Main RIDoH website on harmful algal blooms. Limited information, but includes links to info from other agencies (e.g., USGS fact sheet below) - https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3147/pdf/FS2006_3147.pdf (pdf) (388 KB)
- https://www.noaa.gov/what-is-harmful-algal-bloom
NOAA website with HAB FAQs - https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/blue-green-algae/faqs
- https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/water/water_quality_management/cyanobacteria/Cyanobacteria-FAQ_June-3-2020.pdf (pdf) (937 KB)
- https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae/faq.htm
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568988319302045
- https://www.itascaswcd.org/images/Algae-Jar-Test.pdf (pdf) (159 KB)
- https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-studies/php/about/epidemiologic-studies.html#cdc_generic_section_2-harmful-algal-and-cyanobacterial-blooms
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/redtide.html
- https://calhabmap.org/faq
- https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/what/index.html
- https://www.mass.gov/service-details/psp-red-tide-monitoring
- http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/shellfsh/pdf/habplan.pdf (pdf) (1.6 MB)
- https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/recreation/harmfulalgaeblooms/pages/faqs.aspx
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ENV_RW_Cyanobacteria_FAQs.pdf (pdf) (136 KB)
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ENV_RW_CyanobacteriaVeterinarians.pdf (pdf) (178 KB)
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/media/pdfs/332669A_FS_CyanobacterialBlooms_508.pdf (pdf) (1.5 MB)
- https://www.maine.gov/dmr/shellfish-sanitation-management/programs/biotoxininfo.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/media/pdfs/algal_bloom_tall_card.pdf (pdf) (2.2 MB)
- https://www.mass.gov/lists/algae-information
- https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/aquatic-invasive-species
- https://www.epa.gov/cyanohabs/health-effects-cyanotoxins
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/hab/#faq
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/prevention/
- https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/managing-cyanotoxins-public-drinking-water-systems
- https://www.mass.gov/doc/information-about-red-tide/download (pdf) (1.9 MB)
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ENV_RW_Cyanobacteria_FAQs.pdf (pdf) (136 KB)
- https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ENV_RW_CyanobacteriaVeterinarians.pdf (pdf) (178 KB)
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/media/pdfs/332669A_FS_CyanobacterialBlooms_508.pdf (pdf) (1.1 MB)
- https://www.maine.gov/dmr/shellfish-sanitation-management/programs/biotoxininfo.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/media/pdfs/algal_bloom_tall_card.pdf (pdf) (2.2 MB)
- https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/research-monitoring/aquatic-invasive-species
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