An Ohio lake's water is so toxic that swimmers and boaters are being warned to stay away -- and not even touch the lake's algae-filled water.
"What we have here is an environmental disaster that could have been prevented," said Pam Million, an area resident.
Pam and her husband, Jim, own a home on Grand Lake St. Marys. The lake is Ohio's biggest inland lake at nearly 13,000 acres. Toxic algae bloom has taken over and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources posted signs asking people to limit contact with the water, urging them against ingesting it and asking them to avoid the algae foam.
"With the toxins that are being released, I have a 13-month-old grandson and he has been in that water previously. I wouldn't stick my toe in it," Pam said.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tested the lake water and it showed a presence of toxins that can cause liver and nerve damage.
The blue-green algae growing in the lake is different than the algae that were tested last year, so the warnings have been increased.
"Do not be in the water. Do not ski. Do not be on jet skis. Do not be tubing," said Linda Severt, an area business owner.
Severt bought Duckfoot's Restaurant and Bar last year. The business is located beside the lake.
"I am one of the places you can sit out next to the channel and eat your dinner. When you get that kind of smell, nobody wants to sit outside and eat," Severt said.
During NBC 4's four-hour visit on Thursday, there was only one boat on the lake.
Now, neighbors and business owners want to know how and why.
"Who is responsible for this, ultimately? That's what I want to know. Who dropped the ball on this?" a resident said.
"You know, everybody is scared to death to come," another resident said.
- Cylindrospermopsin is a toxin that attacks the liver and kidney.
- Saxitoxin attacks the brain and nervous system and can cause respiratory failure.
- Microcystin was also detected. It's a liver and nerve toxin.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com.
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