Toledo, Ohio — A decade ago, Steven Haller witnessed the anxiety etched on the faces of local residents when toxic algae from Lake Erie contaminated their water supply, prompting a two-day shutdown. Since that incident, Haller, now a clinical researcher at the University of Toledo’s department of medicine, has dedicated his efforts toward uncovering the implications of harmful algal blooms on the health of individuals living in proximity to the lake.

“There is a palpable concern in the community,” Haller remarked. “People are eager for answers. They want to understand the risks involved.”

In the western basin of Lake Erie, the algal blooms have become a recurring issue. Nutrient runoff from agricultural fields, particularly during spring rains, streams into local creeks and rivers, fueling the rapid growth of bacteria in the lake. This process leads to the water appearing green and results in thicker sludge with the potential to become harmful to both humans and animals.

Research indicates that toxic substances produced by these bacteria, specifically microcystin, can lead to health problems when individuals come into contact with contaminated water. Haller’s laboratory focuses on investigating how these toxins affect health, particularly among individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma.

In collaboration with associate professor David Kennedy, Haller’s team is conducting studies that analyze the impacts of microcystin on individuals suffering from liver, gut, or lung ailments. They do this by cultivating cell samples in the lab and exposing them to the toxins.

“Our findings demonstrate that exposure to microcystin exacerbates the progression of various diseases,” stated Haller.

A novel area of their research is investigating the effects of aerosolized toxins, which occur when the toxins become airborne. In controlled conditions, scientists use a pressure device to spray toxins onto human lung cells. Outside the lab, such toxins can become airborne through phenomena like waves crashing against the shore or the disturbance caused by boats traversing the water.

Monitoring air quality near Lake Erie is crucial to comprehending how these toxins may become aerosolized. During a warm afternoon coinciding with peak algal bloom conditions near Toledo, Kennedy climbed atop a small concrete structure by the shore to check an air monitor collecting data from the lake. After gathering previous samples that showed traces of airborne contaminants, he installed a clean air filter for ongoing assessments.

This air sampling initiative will continue throughout the current bloom season, likely extending until November, according to Kennedy. Filters collected during this period will undergo analysis for potential contaminants. This marks the inaugural year of this type of research focused on Lake Erie, although it follows a peer-reviewed study released in 2023 that detected microcystin in the air at Grand Lake St. Mary’s in Ohio.

Early results from their experiments indicate significant increases in lung inflammation associated with exposure to aerosolized microcystin. “For individuals with asthma, these effects are markedly pronounced,” Haller noted.

Many residents in Toledo have adapted to the presence of algae, often taking precautions to minimize exposure. “When the blooms start appearing, we resort to bottled water for everything,” shared Malissa Vallestero, who had taken her family fishing at a local park. “I no longer drink the water from here.”

Dan Desmond, who was at Maumee Bay State Park with his grandnephew, explained that he makes it a point to check on the situation of the blooms before considering entering the water. “If I intended to swim in the lake, it would definitely put a damper on my plans,” he acknowledged.

In addition to their lab work, Haller and Kennedy have begun recruiting community participants for a study in partnership with the University of Michigan. Over the next five years, they aim to assess the health of 200 individuals regarding the potential effects of algal blooms. Participants will provide information about their health status during the algal bloom season, undergo lung function tests, submit blood samples, and help quantify any toxins present in their bodies.

“I strive to provide clear answers about whether or not there are health impacts,” Haller expressed.