The human health effects of Florida Red Tide (FRT) blooms: An expanded analysis

Abstract

Abstract:Human respiratory and digestive illnesses can be caused by exposures to brevetoxins from blooms of the marine alga Karenia brevis, also known as Florida red tide (FRT). K. brevis requires macro-nutrients to grow; although the sources of these nutrients have not been resolved completely, they are thought to originate both naturally and anthropogenically. The latter sources comprise atmospheric depositions, industrial effluents, land runoffs, or submerged groundwater discharges. To date, there has been only limited research on the extent of human health risks and economic impacts due to FRT. We hypothesized that FRT blooms were associated with increases in the numbers of emergency room visits and hospital inpatient admissions for both respiratory and digestive illnesses. We sought to estimate these relationships and to calculate the costs of associated adverse health impacts. We developed environmental exposure-response models to test the effects of FRT blooms on human health, using data from diverse sources. We estimated the FRT bloom-associated illness costs, using extant data and parameters from the literature.When controlling for resident population, a proxy for tourism, and seasonal and annual effects, we found that increases in respiratory and digestive illnesses can be explained by FRT blooms.Specifically, FRT blooms were associated with human health and economic effects in older cohorts (≥ 55 years of age) in six southwest Florida counties. Annual costs of illness ranged from $60,000 to $700,000 annually, but these costs could exceed $1.0 million per year for severe, long-lasting FRT blooms, such as the one that occurred during 2005. Assuming that the average annual illness costs of FRT blooms persist into the future, using a discount rate of 3%, the capitalized costs of future illnesses would range between $2-24 million.3

Harmful algal blooms and public health

“… Abbreviated symptoms: a , allergic-like; ab , abdominal cramps; b , bronchoconstriction; bp , decrease in blood pressure; d , diarrhea; n , nausea; p , parathesias; r , respiratory distress; t , reversal of temperature sensation; v, vomiting a Barbier and Diaz, 2003 b DiNubile and Hokama, 1995 c Hokama, 1988 d Kumar-Roiné et al, 2011 e Morris et al, 1982 f Dickey and Plakas, 2010; see also for treatment for specific symptoms g Nguyen-Huu et al, 2010 h Copeland et al, 2014 i Tester et al, 2013 j Hossen et al, 2011 k Taylor et al, 2013 l Valdiglesias et al, 2013 m James et al, 2010 n Manerio et al, 2008 o Vale and Sampayo, 2008 p see j and Cordier et al, 2000 q see for examples: j,o , and Hinder et al, 2011 r Hoagland et al, 2014 s Plakas and Dickey, 2010. See Terzagian, 2006 for examples…”

Estimating the Health‐Related Costs of 10 Climate‐Sensitive U.S. Events During 2012

“…These events pose significant risks to human health (particularly respiratory, digestive system, and neurologic effects) because of the range of compounds (toxic and nontoxic) released by certain algae species, which can bioaccumulate in fish and shellfish and cause illness or death in humans (Fleming et al, 2011;Kirkpatrick et al, 2010). Algal blooms are also important threats to coastal fisheries, recreation, and tourism (Hoagland et al, 2014;Larkin & Adams, 2007). The 2012 HAB season in Florida was significant, with intense blooms that persisted from September 2012 into early 2013 (Weisberg et al, 2016).…”

Brevetoxins: Toxicological Profile

“…Although rarely serious, such symptoms can result in reduced beach recreation and thus a significant loss of tourist revenues. Estimates of the economic effects of red tides in Florida have been estimated at $600,000-$700,000 annually (Hoagland et al 2014).…”