Abstract
This digital drawing of satellite images showing the eutrophication of Lake Michigan visually explores relationships among respiratory health, algae blooms, and aerosolized cyanotoxin exposure.
Figure. Lake Michigan Lungs and Bubbles
This digital drawing of satellite images represents the eutrophication of Lake Michigan. Despite advocacy and statewide monitoring initiatives,1,2,3 harmful algae blooms (HAB) continue to contribute to exposure to cyanotoxins, produced by cyanobacteria,4 in the Great Lakes. HAB exposure extends beyond contaminated recreational water bodies, as aerosolization transports toxins inland. Indeed, 15% of global asthma trigger responses annually result from aerosolized HAB toxin inhalation in shoreline areas.5 The most frequent symptoms include cough, allergy, malaise and fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, hypertension, acute pharyngitis, and acute upper respiratory infection.4,6 Cyanotoxin inhalation will likely be exacerbated by ongoing climate change and more frequent algae blooms.
References
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Illinois Environmental Protection Agency algal bloom dashboard. ArcGIS. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/e916019b725e4acca7d666e760b74b5f
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Symptoms caused by freshwater harmful algal blooms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 15, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/harmful-algal-blooms/signs-symptoms/symptoms-freshwater-harmful-algal-blooms.html
- Walsh JJ, Lenes JM, Weisberg RH, et al. More surprises in the global greenhouse: human health impacts from recent toxic marine aerosol formations, due to centennial alterations of world-wide coastal food webs. Mar Pollut Bull. 2017;116(1-2):9-40.
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Lim CC, Yoon J, Reynolds K, et al. Harmful algal bloom aerosols and human health. eBioMedicine. 2023;93:104604.