North Lanarkshire Council, together with the Glasgow Triathlon Club and the British Triathlon Federation, has taken the decision to cancel the British Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships in Strathclyde Park, North Lanarkshire, due to take place on Strathclyde Loch this Sunday (25 May 2008).

 

The council, in consultation with SEPA and NHS Lanarkshire, took the decision to cancel the event following the identification of high levels of an unusual algae bloom in the loch.

 

"While there is no evidence to suggest that this unusual algae - the Chrysochromulina parva (C. parva) phytoplankton – is in any way harmful to humans, we have been advised that a related algae can cause skin irritations, " said the council's Countryside And Landscape Manager John Turnbull.

 

"As a precaution, therefore, we have decided to suspend all immersion sports until the loch's usual conditions have re-established.

 

"We regret that the triathlon event cannot go ahead this month, but we are working with British Triathlon to reschedule the Championships for later in the year, or to find an alternative venue."

 

Immersion watersports - classified as windsurfing, water ski-ing, canoeing and open water swimming – are only allowed on the loch when properly organized and supervised. Permanent signage around the loch advises members of the public not to go into the water, and temporary signs have been added to advise those using the watersports centre that the suspension is currently in effect.

 

Dr Eleanor Anderson, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with NHS Lanarkshire, added an additional note of caution for people visiting the loch. "There have been no reports of harm to human health with this particular type of algal toxin," she said. "However, other, related algae have caused symptoms such as skin irritation in humans as well as health concerns in animals.

 

"We are therefore recommending that as a precaution, members of the public follow the advice to avoid contact with the loch water. Pet owners should keep pets away from it – and pets should be washed in clean water if they go in accidentally.

 

"No fish from the loch should be taken or consumed by humans or animals until further notice. In the meantime we are continuing to work with North Lanarkshire Council and SEPA to monitor the situation closely."

 

The problem at the loch was initially identified at the beginning of this month, when a number of dead fish were found on the shores. Since then the council has been working closely with SEPA and NHS Lanarkshire to monitor the situation closely.

 

John Turnbull added: "We will continue to work with SEPA and NHS Lanarkshire until the situation is resolved, and we will resume our normal services as soon as we know it is absolutely safe to do so."