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The latest news from the UW

April 23, 2004

UW center to explore link between oceans and human health

Algal blooms in Puget Sound and off the coast are increasingly producing domoic acid, which can sicken and – in high enough doses – kill humans, other mammals and birds when they eat fish or shellfish contaminated with the toxin. These toxic blooms will be the focus of a new national research center – the Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Sciences – at the University of Washington.