Health Board detects cyanobacteria in water at three Tallinn beaches
The Estonian Health Board has detected potentially toxic cyanobacteria, popularly referred to as blue-green algae, in samples of swimming water taken at Pirita Beach, Lake Harku and Pikakari Beach. The beaches will accordingly fly yellow flags, indicating that swimming may not be advisable to all.
Tallinn's Pirita city district elder Tõnis Mölder noted that swimming in "blooming" water is not advisable for those with allergies, the elderly or young children, and can be especially dangerous to animals, such as dogs.
"Those who still wish to go swimming should avoid swallowing water and surely take a shower after swimming," added Mölder.
The Health Board notified the Pirita District Administration that water samples were found to contain potentially toxic Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Dolichospermum spp. (biomass 0.04-0.05 mg/L) as well as Nodularia spumigena (biomass 0.05 mg/L). The limit for what is considered to be a heavy algal bloom is 1 mg/L.
Cyanobacteria were detected in samples taken at Pirita Beach, Pikakari Beach as well as Lake Harku.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik