Investigating Health Impacts of Exposure to Harmful Algal Blooms
Roskamp Institute Inc.
Summary
The goals of this project are to study the biological effects of environmental toxins (ET), in particular aquatic toxins such as brevetoxins (PbTx) and microcystin or their metabolites. This study is designed to examine the effects of the body from harmful algae blooms (HAB) as well as possibility of an association between exposure to the marine toxin, brevetoxin (PbTx), which is released from K. brevis during the red tide bloom, and the prevalence of neurological illnesses.
Description
Exposure to environmental toxins present in local waters, such as brevetoxins released by Karenia brevis (K. brevis) or microcystin produced by cyanobacteria, is known to cause skin and eye irritation, gastrointestinal and respiratory distress. The ingestion of high levels of brevetoxins from eating contaminated shellfish can result in Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP), an acute gastroenteritis with accompanying neurologic symptoms. People are often exposed by direct skin contact with contaminated waters, drinking contaminated water, breathing in airborne droplets of the toxins, or eating c…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Subject should be able to provide written informed consent. 2. Adult aged 18 or older. 3. Resident (temporary or permanent) of one of the following five southwest Florida counties (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, or Manatee). 4. Any race or ethnicity. 5. Willing to return for at least a total of four study visits and participate in all required procedures for the duration of the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to speak or write in English. 2. Any medical condition for which the study investigator believes enrollment is medically inappropriate. 3. Unwilling/…
Location
- The Roskamp InstituteSarasota, Florida