Toxic Algae Health Warning In Effect for Summit Lake

 County Commissioners
John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

                        

NEWS RELEASE

_______________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Friday, April 27, 2018

CONTACT: 

Media: Gabby Byrne, Public Information Specialist (360) 867-2514 or byrneg @co.thurston.wa.us

Residents: (360) 867-2645

Toxic Algae Health Warning In Effect for Summit Lake

Toxin levels above the level for health concern

OLYMPIA –Summit Lake has a toxic algae bloom. A resident at Summit Lake reported an algae bloom on the afternoon of April 24, 2018. Thurston County Public Health and Social Services staff sampled the lake, notified the community via the algae alert email list, and posted a caution sign at the boat launch that same day.

Many residents of the Summit Lake community get their drinking water from the lake. Lab results received today show that the algae bloom is producing unsafe levels of Anatoxin-a. Reports show toxin levels at the sample site are 9.95 micrograms per liter. The state advisory level for Anatoxin-a is 1 microgram per liter. Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin that is fast-acting, and can cause serious illness or death.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services recommends that residents do not drink the lake water. Filtration, boiling, and other water treatment methods do not remove or deactivate the algae toxin. Public Health advises residents and the public that if their source of water comes from the lake, they should not consume the water, or use it to:

·         Mix formula or other food/drink.

·         Rinse food or do dishes.

·         Brush teeth, or bathe.

In addition, Public Health recommends that people:

·         Do not swim or water ski in the lake.

·         Keep pets out of the lake and do not let them drink lake water.

·         Should not eat fish that come from the lake during an algae bloom.

The health warning for Summit Lake will remain in place until samples are within safe levels for two consecutive weeks. Testing will continue until the samples are within safe limits for two consecutive weeks.

For more information on Summit Lake, visit the Summit Lake Toxic Algae website. For more information about blue-green algae, frequently asked questions, and the County lakes program, visit the County’s Blue-Green Algae Advisories website. You can sign up to receive email algae alerts on the website or by calling 360-867-2645. The Health Department also maintains an updated information line for residents at (360) 709-3080.

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Get your business on the new Healthy Homes Vendor List!

Thurston County Healthy Homes Program is creating a new Healthy Homes Vendor List that Thurston County Public Health & Social Services will make available to the public. The list will include home repair and home improvement services like general contracting, pest control, roofing, home inspection, home renovation, weatherization, mold remediation, electrical, and heating, ventilation, & cooling.

To qualify for the list, the company’s staff member(s) in charge of training must take the Healthy Homes Class and professionals must be licensed/registered, bonded, and insured.

Register for one of the upcoming classes!

·         Saturday June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

·         Friday June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lunch is included!

Class Location: Thurston County Public Health 412 Lilly Rd. NE Olympia, WA.

To register call (360) 867-2674 or email HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us. For more information, view the flyer.

Dr. Wood: Childhood trauma can cause long-term pain, but there are ways you can help

In The Olympian's Health Matters column this week, Dr. Wood talks about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), some implications for health, and what we can all do to help. 

http://www.theolympian.com/latest-news/article208882329.html

Spring Cleaning: To Bleach or not to Bleach?

In general, bleach isn’t needed for regular cleaning at home. A combination of regular cleaning with soap and water and washing hands six or more times per day with soap (and a good 30 seconds of scrubbing) will do a great job of preventing the spread of illness. Sanitizing, decreases the number of germs on a surface and helps to prevent illness. Sanitizing can be done occasionally in the kitchen and common areas with a bleach solution. Disinfecting, or killing germs, is only necessary when someone in your household has a highly contagious illness and when a mess includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit.

When using any household cleaning product, read the label completely before use. Most products that contain bleach will instruct you to clean a surface with soap and water before applying and let the surface air dry. These steps are necessary for the product to be effective. Be sure to follow the safety precautions included on the label to reduce risks of harmful exposures.

When using plain bleach for cleaning, there are four important steps. If you’re not using bleach correctly you won’t get the sanitizing or disinfection results that you want (and paid for!) and you are needlessly exposing yourself and your household to a hazardous substance.

1.  Identify bleach concentration

·  Find the percentage of sodium hypochlorate. The concentration has become stronger over the years. Choose 8.25% or lower if available. Avoid scented and splash-less bleach. Scented bleach has added chemicals that can make the bleach more allergenic. Splash-less bleach is a thicker consistency, but a lower percentage of sodium hypochlorate – it’s not strong enough to sanitize and disinfect. 

2. Mix

·  Mix a small amount on the day you plan to use it. Pour the correct ratio of cool water first and then add the bleach.

Never mix bleach with other cleaning products, disinfectants, or ammonia. Mixing these may release poisonous gases into the air.

3. Clean

·  Clean surfaces with soap and water and rinse. It’s important to remove visible dirt and grime before using a bleach solution.

4. Sanitize or Disinfect

Choose a sanitizing solution for kitchens and toys children might put in their mouths and disinfecting solution for surfaces that can be contaminated with human waste like in bathrooms and diaper changing surfaces. To prevent foodborne illness, use soap and water to clean kitchen surfaces and follow food safety guidelines.

· 

   Wet the entire surface with the bleach solution and let air dry. If the area is needed sooner, wait at least two minutes before wiping dry.

You can find a bottle of bleach and bleach-containing cleaning products in most homes. For many people, it’s not really clean unless there is bleach involved. Green cleaning methods work great for most messes, bleach is useful for the next time you have to clean up a mess that includes blood, urine, feces, or vomit. Sorry to end this blog post with the word “vomit”.

Is Buying Food Through Social Media Safe?

Homemade food is great, and so is supporting local businesses, but you may get more than you bargained for (and not in a good way) when you buy from individuals or businesses that don't have a permit. Without a permit, there's no way for you to know whether your food has been handled safely! 

The Cottage Food Law, allows sellers to make certain baked goods—like cookies and cupcakes in their home kitchens to sell directly to the public. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has a list of licensed cottage food operators.

Learn more from our friends in Tacoma-Pierce County at Sketchy Food. 

Stopping Sexual Violence

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. If you, or someone you care about, needs help, SafePlace is local to Thurston County, and available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. Call them at:
(360) 754-6300. 

Learn more. 

Advance Directives: It's Not Too Soon

Take it from Dr. Rachel Wood, the Thurston County Public Health Officer, taking time to address your end-of-life wishes is important, not just for you, but also for your loved ones. Read more in her latest Health Matters column in The Olympian.