RINDGE — A cyanobacteria warning was issued Monday for Pearly Pond, where residents are urged to stay out of the water due to a high concentration of the cyanobacteria Anabaena.
According to Jody Connor, Limnology Center director at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services, a sample taken by the showed a 100 percent concentration of Anabaena. Testers count cells within the sample to find the dominant species and determine their concentration in the water system.
Large masses of the blue-green algae, called blooms, will look like surface scum or blue-green flecks and residents should not come in contact with them. They can produce toxins that cause diarrhea, vomiting, extreme headache and fever. The toxins can also trigger seizures and convulsions.
Connor said Tuesday that children and pets are at risk because they are more prone to swallowing water while swimming.