The University of Toledo Translation Journal of Medical Sciences 
Cardiology Abstract, Department of Medicine Research Symposium UTJMS 2023 May 05; 11(1):e1-e1 

Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts on Human Health: An 
Analysis of National Emergency Department Data in the 
U.S. from 2016 to 2018 

Benjamin W. French1*, Kathryn Helminiak1, Joshua D. Breidenbach1, Sadik Khuder, 
PhD2, Steven T. Haller, PhD1, David J. Kennedy, PhD1 

1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, 
OH 43614 
2Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, 
Toledo, OH 43614 

*Corresponding author: Benjamin.french2@rockets.utoledo.edu

Published: 05 May 2023 

Introduction: Harmful algal bloom (HAB) cyanobacterial species produce cyanotoxins that disrupt 
ecosystems and are harmful to both human and animal health. These HAB events are increasingly 
common around the world and have been recorded in every continental state.  HAB cyanotoxins released 
by cyanobacteria affect a wide range of tissues, including the skin, nervous system, liver, and lungs. We 
sought to determine trends and patterns in diagnostic codes relating to HAB exposures from the 
Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's (HCUP) Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). 

Methods: We analyzed HCUP NEDS data from years 2016 to 2018 as these represented the years in 
which complete data was available using the World Health Organization (WHO) International 
Classification of Diseases-10 diagnosis codes for HAB exposure. For each year's grouping, statistical 
analysis was performed to uncover patterns and trends. Each patient occurrence was screened for the 
most prevalent comorbidities associated with HAB exposures.   

Results: Over the 3-year period studied, there were 118 reported patient admissions to the Emergency 
Department. Respiratory related illness accounted for the majority of comorbidities and were present in 
53% of patients, including 30% as the primary diagnostic code.   

Conclusion: These data represent one of the first attempts to analyze HAB exposure related illness 
presenting to Emergency Departments in the United States. The predominance of respiratory related 
diagnostic codes in these patients suggests greater attention to these conditions in the risk 
characterization of HAB exposure in the development of evidence-based prevention and treatment 
strategies. 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-641 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-641
mailto:Benjamin.french2@rockets.utoledo.edu