Affects of Aerosolized Brevetoxins from Florida Red Tide on Healthy Workers

Article: Backer, Lorraine C. et al. "Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Brevetoxins during Florida Red Tide Events: Effects on a Healthy Worker Population." Environmental Health Perspectives 113.5 (2005).

This article covers a study conducted to see how the aerosolized brevetoxins released by the Karenia brevis dinoflagellates in a Red Tide affect a healthy person's respiratory and pulmonary health.  The effects of the brevetoxins on humans after being consumed in shellfish tissue has been well documented in the past, but the effects from environmental exposures, such as being in aerosol form were uncertain.  The studied focused on 28 full-time lifegaurds along Florida's gulf coast because they were healthy and their beaches did not close during red tide events -- causing them to work onshore and even stay in the lifegaurd towers at least 6 hours every shift.  An occupational, epidemiological study was constructed to determine the respiratory effects of a red tide and if mild outdoor exercise during a red tide decreased pulmonary performance or increased self-reported symptoms. 

Red Tide

The results of the study showed an increase in self-reported upper respiratory problems and headaches during exposure to the brevetoxins from the red tide (but not an increase in lower repsiratory problems).  Pulmonary effects were present, but not significant.