LYME — The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is advising people and their pets to avoid the water near a cyanobacteria bloom in the swimming area of Post Pond in Lyme.
Samples officials collected from the swimming area on Friday contained 370,000 cells per milliliter of cyanobacteria, exceeding the state’s threshold of 70,000 cells per milliliter, according to a Friday news release from DES.
The bloom appeared bright, blue-green with yellow pollen on the surface.
DES will return to the pond for weekly testing until the level of cyanobacteria is below the state’s threshold for safe use.
Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause both acute and chronic health effects. Possible acute effects include irritation of skin and mucous membranes, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea. Chronic effects may include liver and central nervous system damage.
Updates on cyanobacteria advisories are available online at www4.des.state.nh.us/WaterShed_BeachMaps