Sanibel Island study seeks to reveal red tide's impact on human health

On Sanibel Island, a unique study is underway to uncover the effects of red tide on human health. Volunteers, including Gayle Crabtree-Pergoli, are participating in this research to understand who might be most vulnerable to the toxins.

"I knew we were getting a bloom when I got just a tiny little tickle," said Crabtree-Pergoli, a red tide study volunteer. "I don't have any underlying respiratory problems, so it never progressed beyond the tickle."

Crabtree-Pergoli described the experience of a red tide as something that can be felt before it is seen.

"The smell is pretty horrendous, very horrendous," she said.

Crabtree-Pergoli highlighted the impact of red tide on individuals with chronic lung diseases.

"There are people with chronic lung diseases like COPD who cannot live on the beach or cannot go outside," she said.

The desire to help those affected by the red tide motivated Crabtree-Pergoli to volunteer.

"This is actually my third blood draw and my third volunteer position for a red tide study," said Crabtree-Pergoli. "Maybe we're going to give answers to someone, you know, maybe we're going to be able to impact someone's life for the better."

The study, conducted by the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Roskamp Institute, aims to discover how red tide affects people and identify those most at risk.

"Well, we're hoping that there's nothing to worry about, right? But, but if there is, if we do learn that these symptoms do occur in people with certain vulnerabilities," said Laila Abdullah, lead researcher at the Roskamp Institute.

Abdullah emphasized the importance of identifying vulnerabilities such as genetics or pre-existing health conditions.

"So we can actually inform the public health like, hey, this group of people might be more vulnerable," she said.

Crabtree-Pergoli hopes her participation will lead to better protection against red tide exposure.

"I hope just these little pieces of information can maybe in the future, impact and help other people to get care for red tide exposure," she said.

Researchers will continue collecting blood samples and health surveys from hundreds of volunteers over the next five years. The goal is to better understand the red tide and identify those who may be most at risk.