MINIMIZING THE RISK
Emergency treatment for drinking water
- Filter the water
- Treat water with activated carbon
- Use chlorine as disinfectant (NB: Chlorine does not remove toxin)
NEVER ADD COPPER SULPHATE AND CHLORINE BEFORE FILTRATION AS
THIS WILL BREAK THE CELLS AND RELEASE THE TOXIN INTO THE WATER
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FARMERS: PREVENT LIVESTOCK FROM HAVING ACCESS TO CYANOBACTERIAL SCUMS
WHAT MUST I DO IF I COME INTO CONTACT
WITH CYANOBACTERIA?
- Wash immediately with clean water
- If symptoms persist, consult your doctor
- Report the incident to the authorities in your region
(contact information)
First aid treatment
- Drink activated carbon charcoal tablets
- Treat symptomatically
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT CYANOBACTERIA?
- Blooms flourish in warmer summer waters and in many areas die down during winter
- Plant nutrients promote the growth of cyanobacteria
- Toxins produced can survive high temperatures
- Toxicity fluctuates constantly. It is possible for cyanobacteria to be toxic one day, and not the next
Find out more: HISTORY OF TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA IN SOUTH AFRICA...
Back to Toxic Cyanobacterial main page
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Last update
2015-08-13 11:57
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