Jersey monitors threat from toxic sea lettuce fumes

Authorities in the Channel Islands are looking at ways to protect residents and visitors from toxic beach gases after the death of a jogger in France that has been linked to the fumes from rotting seaweed.

The government of Jersey said on Monday it was considering the installation of devices to check gas levels from deposits of sea lettuce. Warning signs could also be erected on affected coastlines to tell people of the potential danger posed by rotting green algae.

Jean-René Auffray collapsed while jogging at a river estuary in Brittany, about 50 miles south-west of Jersey. French authorities concluded he died of a heart attack. But they are exploring the theory that he may have been overcome by sea lettuce fumes, following pressure from environment experts.

Sea lettuce exposed at low tide in Swanage, Dorset. Photograph: FLPA/Alamy

Gas from decomposing sea lettuce in northern France has been linked to the deaths of wild boars in 2011 and a horse in 2009.

St Aubin’s Bay in Jersey often has sea lettuce infestations. The island’s government, the States of Jersey, said it would monitor the situation and could introduce safety measures, but does not believe people are currently at risk.

The infrastructure minister, Eddie Noel, said the quantity of sea lettuce on Jersey were not at the same level as in France and elsewhere in the world.

“The levels are monitored and if there were to be any buildup, action would be taken to protect public safety,” he said, adding that heavy deposits of rotting sea lettuce – Ulva lactuca – may produce gases, including hydrogen sulphide.

Noel said contractors removed the algae for the Jersey government last summer and trialled the use of gas monitors, which were not activated.

But he said: “A review of operations for the 2017 summer season will include considering greater use of these monitors and possible public safety signage in extreme conditions to warn of the risk, however small, of walking, jogging or exercising dogs in heavily affected areas.”

Noel said it was unreasonable to connect Auffray’s death with the sea lettuce at St Aubin’s Bay and doing so could harm tourism on the island.

Auffray’s death has focused attention on what causes Jersey’s sea lettuce growth, which Noel said was owing to “several elements”. It tends to proliferate in warm, clear, calm, nitrate-rich waters. St Aubin’s Bay is a perfect breeding ground because of its position– it is sheltered and sandy – and because it is rich in nitrates washed from farms in Jersey and northern France, and from the Bellozanne sewage treatment works.

Jersey’s government stressed that the sea lettuce problem was not unique to the island: there have been blooms in Kent, Ireland, Portugal and Italy, commonly in bays with similar features to St Aubin’s.

Possible solutions for the problem include towing it out to sea and dumping it, and the introduction of oysters that feed on nitrates.

The campaign group Save Our Shoreline Jersey (SOSJ) said there was no doubt that sea lettuce released sulphurous gases. “These ‘rotten egg’ smells mean local residents have to shut their windows in hot weather, tourists and locals complain, and seaside cafes suffer from a marked decrease in custom,” the group said.

“Bouncing on the piles of dried lettuce runs the risk of toxic gas escaping, so we recommend small children and dogs are kept from [doing so because] they are much closer to the ground and could be affected before the wind disperses the gas.”

SOSJ said hundreds of tonnes of fertiliser was being used by farms growing Jersey Royal potatoes, and that the island’s growing population was creating more sewage.

Jacqui Carrel, an environmental scientist for SOSJ, said the group had suggested measures such as ploughing shallow furrows at angles to the sea in these areas, dislodging the weed before it takes root. “[But] successive governments have said there is nothing they can do.”

Jersey monitors threat from toxic sea lettuce fumes

FDA Affirms Irradiation Of Lettuce And Spinach Regardless of Objections

by Prolonged Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

The regulation of irradiation in the production, processing and managing of our meals, is set forth in 21 CFR 179.  It has lengthy considering that offered for the irradiation of meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables, spices and more and is largely controlled by the FDA, since it is regarded to be a “food additive.”  The FDA stated purpose for approving the irradiation of our food, is to manage foods borne pathogens and extend shelf existence.

A petition was filed by the National Meals Processors Association which is now component of the notorious Grocery Companies Association, to amend 21 CFR 179  to, among other factors, finalize the extention of irradiation to fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach.  Notwithstanding several objections filed with requests for a keep pending a hearing, the FDA has granted the petition.  In denying all requests for a stay and hearing the FDA concluded that, “…the objections do not raise issues of materials fact that justify a hearing… .”  Regrettably, the FDA sounds a lot more like a judge issuing a court decision rather than a governmental company made to protect the people.

Probably the FDA must be much more concerned with the notion of “error on the side of caution” rather than extending the shelf life of our meals.  In the days preceding our “advanced technologies,” we didn’t require to irradiate, bleach or label our meals natural.  Probably the cause we have created a “need”  for these items right now, has anything to do with the ill conceived and cash driven foods manufacturing process in our nation that is controlled by large enterprise.

The FDA reliance on irradiation permits the problem of unsanitary production, processing and handling of our food to carry on, without addressing the result in of the dilemma.  If the FDA’s job description was altered from solving problems in our foods supply to masking them, then it seems that the American people did not get the memo, nor need to they accept it.  It has turn out to be painfully self-evident, that American buyers should remain informed and vigilant in safeguarding themselves.

Extended Island Attorney
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com

FDA Affirms Irradiation Of Lettuce And Spinach Regardless of Objections

Sea Lettuce: A Nutritious Seaweed That Can Enhance Longevity

Sea lettuce is an edible green seaweed that grows along the coastlines of the world’s oceans. It is eaten by a variety of sea animals like sea slugs and manatees, even though people have also eaten it for centuries. Characterized by its vivid green color, lettuce-like look (consequently the identify), and somewhat waxy taste, sea lettuce can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups.

In contrast to other sea greens such as nori, kombu, and bladderwrack, sea lettuce is not often utilized as a overall health supplement, even however it boasts an amazing dietary profile.

Increases longevity – Although sea lettuce is consumed worldwide, it is particularly well-known in Okinawan in Japan and Crete in Greece. Possibly it is coincidental, but the residents of these two locations are well-identified for their longevity. The Okinawa Centenarian Review, for instance, identified that the residents of Okinawa are 82 percent less most likely than the regular American to endure from coronary heart disease. Additionally, a research published in the September 2008 edition of the British Healthcare Journal identified that the morality fee of those who favor a Mediterranean diet regime is 9 percent decrease than these who favor the common Western diet plan. Seafood – such as sea greens like sea lettuce – dominate the diet plans of these people, so it is achievable that these mineral-wealthy foods are responsible for this kind of prolonged-term healthfulness.

Rich in nutritional vitamins – Nutrition-wise, sea lettuce practically covers the whole vitamin spectrum. one hundred grams of this green seaweed provide us with 221 micrograms of vitamin A, ten milligrams of vitamin C, 2.two milligrams of vitamin E, five micrograms of vitamin K, and varying amounts of B-nutritional vitamins this kind of as B1, B2, B12, and folate. Of these, nutritional vitamins A, C, and E are potent antioxidants that can neutralize totally free radical injury, therefore guarding us from a myriad of significant situations such as macular degeneration and cancer. In addition, this robust nutrient profile lends the seaweed excellent skin-boosting properties (this is why some all-natural skin cleansers, this kind of as Alba’s Cleansing Milk, have sea lettuce as a principal ingredient).

Promotes bone overall health – one hundred grams of sea lettuce offer us with 490 milligrams of calcium and 3200 milligrams of magnesium. Whilst everybody knows that calcium is very good for our bones and teeth, most people don’t understand that we also need magnesium to aid us absorb it. Because sea lettuce is rich in the two minerals, it is an perfect food for constructing bones and preventing osteoporosis.

Excess weight loss properties – Sea lettuce is an outstanding bodyweight reduction foods for 3 causes: One a hundred gram serving of it includes only 130 calories, a meager .6 grams of fat, and an extraordinary 29.one grams of dietary fiber (which aids us to really feel full right after consuming).

Outstanding supply of iron and protein – Even though today’s food industry has led us to believe that meat is the best source of iron and protein, in reality algae and sea greens such as spirulina, chlorella, kelp, and – yes – sea lettuce match, and in some circumstances exceed, meat in each regards. 1 one hundred gram serving of sea lettuce, for instance, includes an remarkable 22.1 grams of plant-primarily based protein and 5.3 milligrams of iron, approximately 25 % of the advisable daily intake of each nutrients.

Michael Ravensthorpe is an independent author whose research interests contain nutrition, alternative medicine, and bushcraft. He is the creator of the web site, Spiritfoods, by way of which he promotes the world’s healthiest food items.

Sea Lettuce: A Nutritious Seaweed That Can Enhance Longevity