Over the past two decades, scientists have discovered dozens of new species of nuisance algae that raise havoc around the world, killing huge numbers of fish and causing human illnesses. The most famous new species is Pfiesteria piscicida, found in estuaries from Delaware to Florida. Although Pfiesteria is often described as a bizarre, freakish phenomenon, it is just one small part of an international problem.
Health
Susceptibility of Public Health Impacts from Flooded Water, Wastewater and Public Health Infrastructure
A method and guidance for assessing the resilience of public water and wastewater systems to flooding as well as the access to health care facilities to improve the health outcomes of communities when faced with tropical storms, increased tidal flooding, and extreme rain events.
S.C. Task Group on Harmful Algae Newsletter – Winter 2005
The CDC funded a multi-faceted approach to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in South Carolina, including a system to identify people with a high risk of exposure to potentially harmful algae, real-time remote monitoring, and outreach programs.
S.C. Task Group on Harmful Algae Newsletter – Spring 2002
A brief history of early coordination efforts around harmful algal blooms, and a detailed description of the various human health impacts of HABs: types of poisoning, health conditions, and classes of toxic algae.
S.C. Task Group on Toxic Algae Newsletter – Winter 2000
This newsletter examines research efforts on red tides in state estuaries, as well as innovative measures to treat and diagnose symptoms of Possible Estuarine-Associated Syndrome (PEAS).
S.C. Task Group on Toxic Algae Newsletter – Summer 1999
This newsletter details South Carolina efforts to check sites of suspected toxic algal blooms in 1999, prevent human health consequences, and study Possible Estuary-Associated Syndrome (PEAS).
S.C. Task Group on Toxic Algae Newsletter – Spring 1998
This newsletter details the creation of the S.C. Task Group on Toxic Algae in response to outbreaks of Pfiesteria in several mid-Atlantic states in the 1990’s. A sidebar includes information about worldwide seafood poisonings caused by toxic algae.
Environmental Health in a Changing Climate
This briefing book from Our Coastal Future Forum provides an explanation of South Carolina’s changing climate, and an overview of chemical and bacterial contaminants and their effects on environmental health.