Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health ( PACE EH ) on Red Tide
From SRQ Magazine Page 1[TALK] Citizens Share Health Concerns at County’s First PACE EH Meeting
Sarasota County initiated an environmental health program last night that’s intended to help local communities prioritize their concerns. The Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health, or PACE EH, is a national program pairing government officials with citizens and environmental groups.
Andrew Reich, coordinator of the state’s Aquatic Toxins Program, spoke to the group about water toxins specific to Florida. Through its work with Mote Marine, Reich said Sarasota County has been a state leader in red tide research and education. Mote’s studies at Siesta Public Beach have demonstrated that exposure to red tide increases symptoms such as coughing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. In some people, exposure also caused a decrease in lung function.
Reich also discussed other water toxins such as blue-green algae, a toxin that smells like sewage and affected Sarasota County beaches last fall. Although he said the relationship between red tide and nutrients is still being studied, he said there’s a pretty close association between blue-green algae and nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
Following Reich’s presentation, the group was asked to share their own environmental health concerns. About 20 concerns were aired. They included: mercury levels in the water, storm water runoff, use of pesticides and herbicides, red tide, air quality inside and outside, and pet waste left on the beach.
