The conference on The Water Environment: Algal Toxins and Health was
held at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, on June 29, 30, July 1,
2, 1980. Its principal objectives were to bring together, for the first
time, researchers, public officials and interested parties in order to
present and discuss what is known about algal toxins. The conference
concentrated almost exclusively on toxins and toxic blooms of blue-green
algae (Cyanobacteria). Since the most common Cyanobacteria bloom forming
species are also the ones most likely to produce toxins, they are a
problem in the maintenance of safe animal and human water supplies.
While poison- ings by Cyanobacteria involve mainly domestic and wild
animals, they may also be responsible for cases of human gastroenteritis
and con- tact poisoning. Even though human poisonings by Cyanobacteria
have historically not been a widespread problem, continued deterioration
of our recreational and municipal water supplies suggests that blooms of
non-toxic and toxic Cyanobacteria blooms will increase. In addi- tion to
studies on their role as disease agents, there is basic research being
done on their pharmacological properties to determine their mode of
action and usefulness as tools in the study of basic neuromuscular
mechanisms. These papers were centrally typed for reproduction as
camera- ready copy. Each paper was reviewed and edited by at least two
per- sons of the editorial committee. This volume is organized into five
major sections: 1.