“This is a health issue… we, as Floridians, need to be very concerned.“

Calls for serious attention to public health impacts from harmful algae blooms are on the rise and warnings like this one take on a new sense of urgency when they come from someone like Dr. Deborah Mash.

As a neuroscientist and professor, her latest research, in collaboration with Dr. Larry Brand and other marine biologists, examines a possible connection between signs of neurodegenerative disease in dolphins and humans. Throughout many years of research, Dr. Mash has found concentrations of BMAA–the same amino acid present in the green slime that chokes coastal community waterways in years with discharges from Lake Okeechobee–in the brains of dolphins, sharks, a variety of smaller marine species, and in people. That evidence has led her to believe that human consumption of some aquatic creatures may result in adverse effects to our brains. 

In a new video available here, Dr. Mash cautions Floridians to acknowledge increasing evidence that points to biomagnification of toxins in the marine food web. Her contributing research adds one more layer of scientific evidence encouraging leaders to make water management decisions right now that prioritize human health and safety.

Want to know more? Join us!

Save the date to join the Calusa Waterkeeper, Friends of the Everglades and Bullsugar for a Miami premiere of the documentary “Troubled Waters,” on October 24th at the Silverspot Cinema. The ground-breaking documentary explores the public health impacts and emerging medical science of harmful algal blooms. An expert panel discussion with environmental and health experts featured in the film will follow the screening. 

Don’t wait! Buy your tickets today: https://silverspot.net/films?Date=10/24/2019