Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria stinks. It also discolors our lakes and ponds. And it can cause nasty stomach problems and skin irritations. But wait, there's possibly more!
A new study suggests that toxins found in blue-green algae can trigger neurological symptoms like those seen in Alzheimer's or ALS.
We discuss the study and its implications with Dr. Elijah Stommel, a neurologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and Chris Kilian, Vermont director of the Conservation Law Foundation.
Several questions came in to the show regarding when blue-green algae is toxic and when it isn't. Also about health products called blue-green algae. Here is a link to a previous Vermont Edition program that we did on the science of blue-green algae.
Plus we hear from VPR's Patti Daniels, Taylor Dobbs and Pete Hirschfeld who have just returned from Iowa. They'll share what they learned leading up to that state's caucuses.
Broadcast live on Thurs., Jan. 28, 2016 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
