2 Lakes Cleared For Use In Howard County, Toxin Levels No Longer Harmful

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — People can resume use of Lake Kittamaqundi and Lake Elkhorn after follow-up testing conducted by the Maryland Department of the Environment shows that toxin levels are now too low to be considered harmful or dangerous after blue-green algae was discovered there.

Harmful blue-green algal blooms happen when algae grows out of control. The presence of algae is a part of a normal aquatic ecosystems and most algae aren't toxic, the MDE noted.

Dogs can develop poisoning when they drink from, or even swim in, contaminated water sources. If blue-green algae is ingested, it can cause severe neurologic or liver damage. Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties in humans, too.