Calusa Waterkeeper Summit explores the impact of algae on your health

How does algae impact your health?

On Monday evening, scientists, health officials and clean water activists talked to many of you about what the green gunk we saw last year does to your body.

Last summer, water conditions did more than put Captain David Menist of Florida’s Son Fishing Charters out of work. Now, he is concerned for his family’s health.

”Now that the water doesn’t appear to be sick and toxic,” Menist said. “People have just forgotten all about it.”

On Monday night, there was a line out the door for the Calusa Waterkeeper Summit. With last year fresh on the minds of many, a panel of scientists and water experts gave people the chance to ask questions after watching its new documentary, “Troubled Waters.”

Just how far away from the water do you have to be to avoid public health risks is something scientists like Dr. Larry Brand, a professor of Marine Biology at the University of Miami, are working to find out.

”We don’t really know yet much about toxins get into the air,” Brand said. “But we do know there’s a considerable amount of toxins in the seafood and in the water.”

The community wants answers. Theresa Everly, who is among the Lee Health board of directors, said it is not going to be easy.

“It’s not going to be a quick fix,” Everly said. “Were getting the funding we’ve never seen before in the state.”