B.C. health officials warn of risks from algae blooms. Here's how to protect your kids

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News B.C. health officials warn of risks from algae blooms. Here's how to protect your kids Children may be more at risk of serious illness if they come into contact with blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, say experts Author of the article: By Tiffany Crawford Published Sep 17, 2026 Last updated 23 hours ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Blue-green algae blooms have prompted warnings at Alice Lake this fall in B.C. PHOTO BY VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH Article content Small children may be tempted to grab the foamy blue-green algae that forms in B.C.’s lakes and ponds in the fall, but health experts warn that could risk serious illness. Article content Blue-green algae are microscopic bacteria called cyanobacteria that produce toxins in freshwater across B.C. It’s a problem experts say is becoming worse because of climate change. Alice Lake, for example, has had dangerous blooms for three years in a row. Article content Article content Article content Because of this, health experts are calling on B.C. residents to help them track the problem by sending photos to B.C. Algae Watch.  Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content It’s up to health authorities to employ environmental health officers to monitor and test bodies of water. The Ministry of Health is in charge of regulations, which also includes testing streams, river and lakes but not all water bodies can be monitored, according to the government. Article content Vancouver Coastal Health says the blooms can produce several types of toxins that are poisonous to people, pets, fish or livestock. But experts say they are particularly concerned about children. Article content Ceinwen Pope, a medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said children may be more at risk of serious illness if they ingest the water. Article content “Children are more likely to, when they swim, be a little less careful about swallowing the water. So their exposure, if there is a blue-green algae bloom, could be not just through the skin, but also in drinking the water directly, and because they have smaller bodies and less-developed systems, they handle that more…