MICROCYSTIN-YR

Produced by cyanobacteria (e.g., Microcystis, Dolichospermum) during warm, nutrient-rich blooms; can enter drinking-water sources and accumulate in fish/shellfish [1][3].

Drinking or swallowing contaminated water; breathing water spray (showers, recreation); eating contaminated fish or algae-based supplements [1][2].

Causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver injury; repeated exposure may promote liver tumors (seen in animals). Health advisories for total microcystins are as low as 0.3–1.6 µg/L in drinking water [2][3].

Young children, people with liver disease, pregnant people, dialysis patients, those using surface water or bloom-prone lakes; pets and livestock [1][2][4].

Obey bloom warnings; don’t drink, cook with, or boil affected water; use safe alternative water or certified treatments (activated carbon, reverse osmosis); avoid algae supplements; if eating fish from blooms, stick to skinned fillets and discard organs [1][2][3][4].