Harmful algal blooms and liver diseases: focusing on the areas near the four major rivers in South Korea

Freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become a global concern because blooms contain cyanotoxins that can cause liver damage and other negative health impacts. In South Korea, HABs have been frequently observed along the major rivers (Han, Geum, Nakdong, and Youngsan) in recent years. However, there are hardly any studies that report a linkage between HABs and human health, especially along the four major rivers where dams, weirs, and reservoirs were constructed, and sediments were dredged under the Four Major Rivers Project (FMRP) that ended in 2012. The goals of this study were to summarize spatial distribution patterns of HABs and investigate a potential association between HABs and liver diseases. Chlorophyll-a concentration was used to estimate bloom intensity since it was the only available bloom-related parameter that covers the entire rivers. Liver disease data (ICD-10 codes: K71–K77) were sorted by administrative districts. Generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the bloom, liver diseases, and population data (2005–2016). The results show that chlorophyll-a levels significantly increased since 2013, except Han River region. There was a significant association between HAB intensity and incidence rate of liver diseases, except Han River area, and the extent of association significantly increased after the completion of the FMRP. For future studies, more in-depth epidemiological investigations are warranted in those areas to accurately determine more specific associations between HABs and liver diseases as well as other bloom-related diseases and symptoms. In addition, identification of major exposure pathways to cyanotoxins is needed to better protect public health in those bloom-affected areas.