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Resident says sargassum odor is posing health and quality-of-life problems along Islamorada shorelines
Summary
Resident Andy Newman told the council that sargassum along village shorelines has generated hydrogen-sulfide odors this summer, creating quality-of-life and health concerns and prompting staff to consult marine scientists about possible responses.
Resident Andy Newman told the council during general public comment that this summer’s sargassum along Islamorada shorelines has been ‘‘unprecedented’’ and is producing odors that can affect residents’ ability to use outdoor spaces and, he said, may pose health risks for people with compromised immune systems.
Newman said he spoke with Councilwoman Gillis and then with Village Manager Ron Saunders and connected staff with Dr. Brian LaPointe, a research professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, as a potential scientific resource. ‘‘Sargassum is more than an inconvenience. It's a public health concern, major public health concern, a quality of life issue,’’ Newman said.
Newman asked council and staff to prioritize short- and long-term solutions to protect residents and the village’s tourism-dependent economy.
