56 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2019 

Israeli Tech Cleans
Toxic Algae Bloom

Lake Guard Blue 
was dispersed in 
Chippewa Lake and 
restored the lake’
s 
ecological balance.

JN STAFF
B

lueGreen Water Technologies Ltd., 
an Israel-based cleantech company, 
announced the successful cleanup 
treatment against harmful algae blooms 
detected in Ohio’
s Chippewa Lake, using 
its proprietary EPA-approved product, 
Lake Guard Blue. A short and simple 
application resulted in the collapse of 
the toxic cyanobacteria species that con-
taminated Chippewa Lake and in the 
restoration of its ecological 
balance.
Tests were conducted in 
the lake before, during and 
after the treatment in order 
to ensure that Chippewa 
Lake’
s algae problem was 
fully addressed. This was the 
first full-scale deployment of 
BlueGreen’
s product in the 
United States. The product 
is also in commercial use 
in Israel, China and South 
Africa.
Harmful algae are photosynthetic 
microorganisms that can be found in 
almost all bodies of water. Their toxins 
have been known to cause poisoning in 
animals and humans and severely disrupt 
the ecosystem. The EPA has declared 
harmful algae bloom as “a major envi-
ronmental problem in all 50 states. They 
can have severe impact on human health, 
aquatic ecosystems and the economy.” 
EPA also warns that “algae blooms can 

be toxic. Keep people and pets away 
from water that is green, scummy or 
smells bad.”
This summer in Michigan, several 
dogs died after swimming in ponds with 
harmful algae blooms. According to the 
organization Sea Grant Michigan, these 
harmful blooms are commonly found 
in shallow, still bodies of water such 
as small lakes and ponds. The bacteria 

is also common in lakes with fertilizer 
runoff and warm water temperatures. 
However, blooms can also be found in 
parts of Lake St. Clair, Lake Michigan, 
Lake Huron and Lake Erie, the research 
organization added.
The World Health Organization 
(WHO) also publishes clear warning 
instructions: “People are mainly exposed 
to cyanobacterial toxins by drinking or 
bathing in contaminated water. Surface 

scums, where they occur, represent a 
specific hazard to human health because 
of their particularly high toxin contact. 
Contact, especially by children, should 
be avoided.”
Humans are affected with a range 
of symptoms including skin irritation, 
stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diar-
rhea, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle 
and joint pain, blisters of the mouth and 
liver damage. Swimmers in 
water containing cyanobacte-
rial toxins may suffer allergic 
reactions, such as asthma, eye 
irritation, rashes and blisters 
around the mouth and nose. 
Animals, birds and fish can 
also be poisoned by high levels 
of toxin-producing cyanobac-
teria.
“Water is the essence of 
life and a basic human right,” 
said Eyal Harel, CEO of 
BlueGreen Water Technology. 
“Our technology empowers communities 
all over the world to reclaim their water 
resources and prevent harmful algae 
blooms by taking action swiftly and eco-
nomically.”
According to Dr. Moshe Harel, chief 
technology officer of BlueGreen, the 
product is designed to float and slow-re-
lease its active ingredient. In Ohio, the 
product was dispersed in the lake from 
the back of a boat. 

Harmful algae

YOUTUBE SCREENSHOTS

Eretz

