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FRIDAY, Might 26, 2023 (HealthDay Information) — Be cautious when heading to Florida’s seashores this summer season, an skilled warned, as a 5,000-mile floating mass of sargassum seaweed has begun washing up on the state’s shores.
It may be low threat in some situations, however it additionally has the potential for triggering critical respiratory well being points.
“The sargassum itself isn’t harmful. It could possibly have totally different jellyfish and sea creatures in it that might be a supply of sting,” stated Dr. Sarah Shafer, medical toxicologist and an assistant professor within the division of emergency medication at Baylor Faculty of Drugs in Houston. Nonetheless, “as soon as the sargassum washes up on the seaside, in 48 hours it can begin to break down and lose poisonous gasses. Because it decomposes, now we have to fret about potential publicity to people.”
Sargassum can decompose in one among a number of methods. It could possibly launch ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, which is poisonous, she defined in a university information launch.
Even at low ranges, hydrogen sulfide can produce the scent of rotten eggs. But when the fuel reaches a sure degree, people can develop into “nose-blind” and never scent it.
“At low ranges, it smells like rotten eggs within the air. This occurs in pure scorching springs, like at Yellowstone. It could possibly trigger some irritant results,” Shafer stated. “In excessive ranges, it may possibly trigger sudden demise.”
This is usually a concern in closed-off locations the place the fuel is very concentrated, akin to in a sewer.
A chemical asphyxiant, it may possibly intrude with how cells operate, Shafer famous.
For seaside seaweed, asphyxiation isn’t a priority as a result of it’s not closed off. Nonetheless, she beneficial being attentive to totally different smells when round seaweed this summer season.
Search for the scent of ammonia or rotten eggs, irritated eyes, nausea and mushy tissue irritation for those who contact a bit of seaweed with the next focus of hydrogen sulfide.
These most in danger are individuals who have bronchial asthma or one other respiratory situation or reside close to the seaside.
Anybody with respiratory issues ought to depart the realm in the event that they scent rotten eggs, Shafer suggested.
“Should you don’t really feel good, get away from it,” she stated. “If there’s sufficient sargassum that’s off-gassing that a lot, you received’t need to be there anyway.”
Extra data
The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has extra on sargassum seaweed.
SOURCE: Baylor Faculty of Drugs, information launch, Might 25, 2023
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