Researchers have found that areas with frequent blue-green algae blooms also have a higher death rate from liver disease.

* Martin County Department of Health reports four cases of toxic algae.

* The four reports are in both northern and southern sections of Lake Okeechobee.

Four reports of toxic algae in Lake Okeechobee in Martin County prompted an Aug. 22 Florida Department of Health water advisory to be careful in those areas.

The alert is in response to water samples taken on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Okeechobee, according to the Department of Health in Martin County.

Here's when and where the four algae blooms were reported:

* First algae bloom: Reported Aug. 18 in Lake Okeechobee, just west of the St. Lucie Canal near Southwest Conners Highway.

* Second algae bloom: Reported Aug. 19 near the middle of the lake, near the Martin and Palm Beach county line.

* Third algae bloom: Reported Aug. 19 near Southwest Conners Highway, near the Martin and Okeechobee county line.

* Fourth algae bloom: Reported Aug. 19 west of U.S. Highway 441 Southeast, just south of the Okeechobee County line.

Cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, contained the toxin microcystin at a level of .27 near the St. Lucie Canal, .78 near the Palm Beach County line, .27 near Southwest Conners Highway and .27 in the area just south of the Okeechobee County Line, according to the health department.

The Martin County offices of the Department of Health have reported nearly a dozen algae boom incidents in Lake Okeechobee since May 22.

Microcystin is harmful to people, pets and wildlife to touch, ingest or inhale when the level is 8 parts per billion, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

DOH, DEP test for cyanobacteria

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects water samples, which are analyzed at a laboratory, then publishes the results online at Protecting Florida Together and on the DEP's Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Algae is common in Florida's freshwater environments, but a bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.

Blooms can appear as various-colored scum, foam or paint on the water surface, but algae in the water may not always be visible.

Some environmental factors that contribute to blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus from urban development and farms. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall.

Toxic algal bloom precautions

The DOH advises residents and visitors to take these precautions:

* Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with water where there is a visible bloom.

* Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.

* Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.

* Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.

* Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

What do I do if I see an algal bloom?

* Report a bloom to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903.

* Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.

Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at [email protected].