Aerosolized Florida Red Tide Toxins and Human Health Effects

Karenia: The biology and ecology of a toxic genus

“…Humans that breathe brevetoxin contaminated aerosols immediately experience coughing, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, a burning sensation in the nose and throat, chest tightness, and shortness of breath Abraham and Baden, 2006). Large aerosol particles (6-10 mm) only make it into the upper respiratory tract, causing throat and nasal irritation, while small aerosol particles (0.1-0.2 mm) make it into the lower respiratory tract, making breathing difficult (Ramsdell, 2008).…”

“…Kirkpatrick et al (2006) found pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and respiratory distress to increase 31%, 56%, 44% and 64% respectively during a red tide up to 1.6 km inshore along the west coast of Florida. Humans with asthma are particularly sensitive to brevetoxin aerosols and often end up in the hospital with severe symptoms (Kirkpatrick et al, , 2011aAbraham and Baden, 2006;Fleming et al, 2007Fleming et al, , 2011.…”

Review of Florida red tide and human health effects

“…The highlight of this model is that the sheep respond to brevetoxin exposures at levels similar to those experienced by humans at the beach during a Florida red tide bloom (Abraham and Baden 2006; Abraham et al, 2003; Abraham et al, 2004; Abraham et al, 2005a and b; Abraham et al, 2009; Zaias et al, in press). This model has demonstrated that both asthmatic and non asthmatic sheep react with significantly decreased respiratory function and experience dose-dependent airway hypersensitivity after exposure to very small concentrations of aerosolized brevetoxins (~10 pg/ml of PbTx-2 or PbTx-3, the two main toxins found in the air during a K. brevis bloom).…”

“…Much of this interest was driven by media attention on the discovery of several new HAB organisms purportedly associated with animal and human exposures and health impacts (e.g. Pseudo-nitzschia, Pfiesteria , and the phytoplankton producing the newly discovered toxins, the Azaspiracids) (Abraham and Baden 2006; Backer et al, 2003a; Backer et al, 2005a; Backer and Fleming 2008; Fleming et al, 2001; Fleming et al, 2004; Okamoto and Fleming 2005; Twiner et al, 2008; Zaias et al, 2010). There were also concerted efforts by the HAB research and response community to increase national and international attention on the apparent increase in HABs and the resulting increased risk for human exposure and subsequent adverse health effects (e.g.…”

“…Over the past decade, there has been an intensive interdisciplinary and inter-agency research program focused on the possible exposures and health effects in humans and other animals from the Florida red tide toxins, particularly the aerosolized toxins (Abraham and Baden 2006; Backer et al, 2003a; Backer et al, 2005a; Fleming et al, 2004; Fleming et al, 2005a; Red tide research group 2002; Zaias et al, 2010). The findings of this particular research program are summarized below, with particular emphasis on the implications for human health.…”