Researchers at FGCU, FAU studying effects of blue-green algae in Cape Coral canals

Blue-green algae look gross but it can also be really dangerous if someone comes in contact with it.

Researchers at FGCU and Florida Atlantic University are studying what it does to the body.

Researchers studied the airborne impact algal blooms have on people/

“We have 102 existing participants in our code chord. And we are looking to add an additional 50 people,” said FAU Shirley Gordon.

Gordon said researchers will also look at how COVID-19 will come into play given other medical conditions.

“We know that people that have preexisting conditions that are respiratory in nature, like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, the history of lung cancer, those people we anticipate, would be more sensitive to the toxins than others. But we don’t know that to be true,” Gordon said.

Mike Parsons, a professor of marine science at FGCU, wants to find out.

“If breathing in some of these blue-green algal toxins causes lung irritation, and then COVID, also, you know, causes inflammation on the lung tissues, could the two of those basically work together,” Parsons said.

One woman who took part in phase one said now they need more people to volunteer for phase two.

“We have so many canals here that it’s not only me,” said Olympia Lynch. “I’m nearly at the yacht club. It’s everywhere. So, they need people from every part of the city. Whether you live on a canal or across from a canal you are still involved in it.”

Anyone interested in participating is asked to go to Cape Coral Public Works on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will provide a nasal swab, urine and blood sample to test.