Alert over algae that’s as toxic as cobra venom

A TOP ecologist has warned that algae in Windermere could be as toxic as cobra venom to swimmers and pets, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Hot weather and sewage spills have seen an explosion in blue-green algae blooms in England’s largest lake.

Last night, the Environment Agency (EA) said it would not test the blooms, which are now so large they can be seen from space, unless ‘many cases of illness were reported’.

But private testing, shared exclusively with the MoS, reveals that the algae is in such high concentrations it could kill dogs and possibly humans.

Dr Nick Everall, director of Aquascience Consultancy Ltd, which conducted the testing, said the samples taken ‘well exceeded’ EA and World Health Organisation warning levels.

‘On a weight-for-weight basis the neuro and hepatotoxins potentially produced are as toxic as cobra venom,’ he said.

Dr Everall branded the EA ‘irresponsible’ for not conducting its own testing to establish the toxicity levels.

The EA insisted it was the landowners’ responsibility to display signs warning swimmers and pet owners.