APCC Cyanobacteria Testing
Cyano Status Descriptions from the APCC Website:
Acceptable Levels
No concerning cyanobacteria results at the time and place of sampling. To the best of our knowledge and based on our monitoring results, regular recreational usage of the pond is safe with respect to cyanobacteria and toxins. Map color is blue. Formerly the Low Warning Tier.
Potential for Concern
Monitoring results at the time and place of sampling indicate either moderate risk for potential exposure to cyanobacteria toxins or a likelihood for higher cyanobacteria risks in the near future. While these conditions pose low health risks to adults, risks are higher for children or pets, particularly if contaminated water is incidentally ingested. Children may inadvertently consume pond water while swimming and pet exposure can result from directly drinking pond water or from grooming after swimming. Due to lower body masses, children and pets are more susceptible to cyanobacteria risks than adults. APCC will recommend to the contracting partner (either town or private association) that APCC be authorized to increase testing frequency to weekly of ponds in this category until conditions improve. Samples may be sent to the Barnstable County lab for toxin analysis as well. A town may, at its own discretion, post a “Pet Advisory”, however practices differ in each town. Map color is yellow. Formerly the Moderate Warning Tier.
Use Restriction Warranted
Monitoring results at the time and place of sampling indicate a high risk for potential exposure to cyanobacteria toxins, based on one or more of the following criteria: 1) exceedance of microcystin according to MDPH guidance, 2) presence of cyanobacteria scum layers according to MDPH guidance, or 3) a municipal health agent issues a closure for any other reason related to cyanobacteria. Recreational risk to adults is moderate following exposure. Recreational risks are especially high for children and pets following exposure through accidental ingestion of contaminated water. Children may inadvertently consume pond water while swimming and pet exposure can result from directly drinking pond water or from grooming after swimming. Due to lower body masses, children and pets are more susceptible to cyanobacteria risks than adults. A “Use Restriction Advisory” has been recommended for public access points. Map color is red.
Common Types of Cyanobacteria
Microcystis (found in Cedar Lake): A genus of cyanobacteria that is common in Cape Cod ponds. It can produce hepatotoxins, dermatoxins, and neurotoxins, but is known to produce Microcystin at relatively high levels.
Dolichospermum (not found in Cedar Lake): a genus of cyanobacteria very common in Cape Cod ponds. It can produce hepatotoxins, dermatoxins, and neurotoxins, but is known to produce Microcystin at relatively low levels.
Possible Pet Health Effects
Pet exposure can be from drinking pond water or grooming after swimming. Due to lower body masses, pets are more susceptible to impacts at lower concentrations than adult humans. Pets exposed to suspected cyanotoxins should be rapidly assessed by a veterinarian.
Common Toxins Produced by Cyanobacteria
Dermatoxin: A toxin that is a skin irritant. the most commonly occurring dermatoxin, lipopolysaccharide, is unregulated by the state.
Hepatotoxin: A toxin that can cause liver damage.
Microcystin: A type of hepatotoxin that can cause liver damage and is the primary cyanotoxin regulated by that Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Neurotoxin: A toxin that can cause neurological damage. Anatoxin and beta-N-methyl amino-L-alanine (BMAA) are known neurotoxins that are unregulated by the state, but are currently being studied by cyanobacteria researchers.