Warning! Blue-green algae blooms in the Mölln school lake are affecting your enjoyment of swimming!

Warning! Blue-green algae blooms in the Mölln school lake are affecting your enjoyment of swimming!

The summer holidays are in full swing and that is attracting many people to the swimming lakes. But a current warning from Mölln could dampen this joy. On July 10th, a blue-green algae bloom was discovered at the “Luisenbad” bathing area in the school lake herzogtum-direkt.de reported. The city administration then immediately contacted the health department of the Duchy of Lauenburg district.

The recommendation is to issue a preliminary bathing warning to protect bathers from possible health risks. Signs will be placed at the bathing area to draw attention to the dangers. Anyone who comes into contact with blue-green algae can expect skin irritation, and swallowing contaminated water can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Health risks from blue-green algae

Blue-green algae, or more specifically cyanobacteria, are common in the hot summer season. Given the right weather conditions, these ancient life forms, once responsible for the creation of oxygen-rich atmospheres, can proliferate. Pharmacy survey emphasizes that the toxins from cyanobacteria can not only cause skin damage and gastrointestinal problems, but also pose a particular risk to children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

The health risks caused by increased concentrations of cyanobacteria in bathing water should not be underestimated. Although monitoring of these dangerous algae is planned as part of bathing water monitoring, the surveys are not always sufficiently frequented or of sufficient quality. Federal Environment Agency reports that very warm summers in particular can lead to higher levels of stress during the bathing season. The main cause of the mass development of cyanobacteria is increased phosphorus concentrations in water.

Tips for bathers

Swimming in the Luisenbad is not recommended for the time being. The city administration and the health department will inform the public immediately as soon as swimming is safe again. Until then, you should think carefully about whether you venture into the water or whether you would prefer to cool off on the shore for the time being.

If you feel like the cool water is too great, you should take a few precautions. A thorough shower after bathing and avoiding heavily contaminated water are essential. If you have symptoms such as nausea or skin irritation, it is advisable to see a doctor. Dog owners also need to be particularly careful, as dogs are also at risk if they drink from contaminated water.

Climate change also has an impact on water quality, which promotes blue-green algae blooms due to early rising temperatures. This means bathers should be particularly vigilant this summer to avoid potential health risks. The nutrient concentration in our waters and the weather are crucial to the question of whether and where you can swim without worries.

If you are looking for more information about bathing water quality, you can visit the website bathing water quality.schleswig-holstein.de look around or contact the district health service directly on 04541 888-380.