The QAPP is based on methods created by EPA scientists and other cyanobacteria specialists, including Dr. The QAPP was developed by EPA Region 1 scientists, including Hillary Snook and others, with the goal of encouraging and facilitating widespread monitoring of cyanobacteria. Our program uses and follows the EPA’s Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for cyanobacteria monitoring, developed by EPA for the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative or CMC. If you find a possible cyanobacteria scum near the shore of your pond, take a photo and inform your town health department and APCC at Program MethodologyĪPCC’s cyanobacteria monitoring program provides scientifically sound data on cyanobacteria composition, concentrations, and predicted toxin concentrations. However, as conditions in ponds can change rapidly, APCC recommends following the CDC and MDPH recommendation for ponds with unknown toxin risks: “When in doubt, stay out.” Other types of scum can be caused by pollen or harmless algae in such cases APCC labels them as such in the notes section to avoid confusion. Cyanobacteria scums deemed significant by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or a town health agent will be marked in the Use Restriction Warranted category on APCC’s interactive map. If a pond has a cyanobacteria scum at one location but no cyanobacteria accumulations at a different location, the location with the cyanobacteria scum may present a higher risk to pond users. Ponds with limited or less significant cyanobacteria scums will be marked in the Potential for Concern category on APCC’s interactive map. MDPH recommends avoiding contact with the pond for a minimum of two weeks after a significant cyanobacteria scum has formed and issuance of an advisory ( ). The presence of a cyanobacteria scum can indicate high toxin levels at that location. Cyanobacteria scum can also collect along the shore as a scum line when winds blow the scum towards the shore. A cyanobacteria scum is one indicator of a cyanobacteria bloom and can be green, blue, brown, or even red in color ( ). This is a floating scum, foam, or mat composed of cyanobacteria. Map color red with crosshatching indicates a municipal advisory has been issued. Due to lower body masses, children and pets are more susceptible to cyanobacteria risks than adults. Children may inadvertently consume pond water while swimming and pet exposure can result from ingestion or directly drinking pond water or from grooming after swimming. Recreational risks are especially high for children and pets following exposure through accidental ingestion of contaminated water.

Recreating at this site may cause harm to adults following exposure ( ). Monitoring results at the time and place of sampling indicate the pond is unsafe for recreation by humans and pets based on one or more of the following criteria: 1) presence of microcystin at or above state standards (8 ppb microcystin) as described in MDPH guidance, 2) presence of significant cyanobacteria scum layers according to MDPH guidance, 3) a municipal health agent issues a closure for any other reason related to cyanobacteria.

Scum map legend