Scottish Government

Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) in Inland Waters
Assessment and Control of Risks to Public Health

Compiled by the Scottish Executive Health Department Blue-Green Algae Working Group

Scottish Executive Health Department 2002
Revised Guidance

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Contents

Foreword
Preface
Glossary of abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 Occurrence of blue-green algae
3 Public health concerns
4 Local action plans
5 Assessing the nature and intensity of algal blooms
General provisions
Defining an assessment programme
Visual inspections
Sampling and analyses
Reporting and assessment of results
6 Assessments of the risks to human and animal health
Responsibilities for risk assessments
Types of risk assessment
Content of risk assessments for individual waters
Defining categories for frequency of occurrence or risks for algal blooms
Templates for risk assessments
Specific considerations for public drinking water supplies
7 Action
General requirements
Triggers for action
Actions in response to an algal bloom
Action to prevent algal blooms
8 Information
9 Enforcement
10 Investigation
Annex A Membership of the Working Group
Annex B Blue-green algal toxins
Annex C Sources of specialist advice
Annex D Suggested framework for a Local Action Plan (LAP)
Annex E Recognition and identification of blue-green algal blooms and methods for sampling
Annex F Suggested templates for risk assessments
Annex G Extract on exposure guidelines from the WHO Document
Annex H Suggested text for warning notices
Annex I Media briefing notes