Toxin keeps 500,000 people in Northwest Ohio from drinking

ArabiaWether.com- Algae toxins in Lake Erie, Ohio, have risen to dangerous levels, depriving 500,000 people in Toledo of safe drinking water, yesterday, Saturday.

This pollution led many people to other states in search of bottled water and forced most restaurants and the Toledo Zoo to close, greatly affecting the fourth largest city in the state and surrounding counties.

Ohio Governor John Kasich declared a state of emergency in the region, declaring resources for the Ohio National Guard and state workers to transport safe water to those who need it.

City officials said in a statement, "Lake Erie, the local source of potable water, may have been affected by harmful algal blooms."

A potentially dangerous algal bloom - which leads to a rapid increase in algae levels - is caused by high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous, and officials have not specified when it will be declared safe to the Toledo water service.

City officials warned that drinking contaminated water could affect the liver and cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and dizziness.