Other studies have focused on the economic impact of harmful algal blooms (HABs), and specifically, of Florida red tide ( Hoagland et al., 2009 Morgan et al., 2009). For asthmatics, symptoms may continue to occur for several days after exposure ( Kirkpatrick et al., 2009). For the healthy population, these symptoms are non-threatening and reportedly disappear quickly after leaving the beach ( Backer et al., 2003 Backer et al., 2005). Exposure in asthmatics may result in exacerbations with possible prolongation and possible subchronic effects (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis) based on emergency room visits ( Fleming et al., 2005 Fleming et al., 2007 Fleming et al., 2009 Kirkpatrick et al., 2006). Humans are then exposed to these aerosolized neurotoxins, resulting in respiratory irritation in healthy individuals, manifesting as a burning sensation of the eyes and nose, and/or a dry, choking cough ( Kirkpatrick et al., 2004). Offshore winds and surf can also release these toxins into the water by breaking up the cells of the algae, which create onshore toxic aerosols. brevis produce neurotoxins, called brevetoxins, that cause fish kills and contaminate shellfish. The marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is responsible for Florida red tides that form in the Gulf of Mexico and come onshore on the west coast of Florida. Due to the lack of data, however, we are unable to provide credible estimates of the costs of presenteeism or the potential increased risks to bathers. The costs of presenteeism, which imply increased risks to beachgoers, arguably could exceed those of absenteeism by an order of magnitude. When surveyed, lifeguards reported not only that they experienced adverse health effects of exposure to Florida red tide but also that their attentiveness and abilities to take preventative actions decrease when they worked during a bloom, implying presenteeism effects. On average, the capitalized costs of lifeguard absenteeism in Sarasota County may be on the order of $100,000 at Sarasota County beaches alone. Our estimate of the costs of absenteeism due to the 2005 red tide in Sarasota County is about $3,000.
The potential economic costs resulting from red tide blooms were comprised of both lifeguard absenteeism and presenteeism. The lifeguard attendance data demonstrated statistically significant absenteeism during a Florida red tide bloom. This study examined lifeguard attendance records during the time periods of March 1 to September 30 in 2004 (no bloom) and March 1 to September 30 in 2005 (bloom). Sarasota County experiences frequent Florida red tides and staffs lifeguards at its beaches 365 days a year. Although several studies have assessed different economic impacts from Florida red tide blooms, no studies to date have considered the impact on beach lifeguard work performance. brevis blooms, can cause fish kills, contaminate shellfish, and lead to respiratory illness in humans. Brevetoxins, the neurotoxins produced by K. The marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is responsible for Florida red tides.
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