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