Toxic algae bloom off Washington State coast.

SEATTLE - An unusually large toxic bloom of algae, which could poison humans and taint shellfish, has been detected in the ocean off the northwest coast of Washington state, oceanographers said.


The algae, called pseudo-nitzschia, produce domoic acid, which can damage the areas of the brain used for memory and learning, causing permanent short-term memory loss. The toxin is lethal in higher doses.

www.planetark.com...

"The levels of toxin are the highest we've ever seen," said Vera Trainer, an oceanographer at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

This can be very dangerous, the same kind of strain killed 3 people in 1987.

[edit on 4-10-2004 by jeeze louise]

[edit on 4-10-2004 by jeeze louise]