In the last few years, researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center between cyanobacteria from blue-green algae blooms and the neurodegenerative disease ALS.
The research is preliminary, so any possible correlation is not proven. But the studies 鈥� and the issue of algae blooms in northern New England 鈥� are the subject of a new documentary by Jackie Heltz, a filmmaker who grew up in Williston.
Hetlz made the film with her father Jim, and it screens this weekend as part of the .
Heltz spoke to VPR's Henry Epp. Listen to their full conversation above.
鈥淭here is a lot that we do know about cyanobacteria, blue-green algae,鈥� Heltz said. 鈥淚t is undeniably not good for you, and not good for your pets, and not good for where you live. 鈥� Part of the angle and aim was how not good is it for you?鈥�
Heltz said she agrees with Vermont health officials that the research is still preliminary, 鈥渂ut I don鈥檛 think that it should be dismissed,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 mean, at the end of the day I鈥檇 rather it not be so 鈥� I don鈥檛 want the lakes and ponds and rivers that we love here to be hurting people. But I think if the direction we need to move in is a mass cleanup for the sake of ourselves and our environment, we might as well entertain that."
As for working on a film with her father, Heltz said the experience was "beneficial" 鈥� but also challenging at times.
鈥淲e are a generation apart, so there鈥檚 definitely kind of a collaboration but also sometimes a collide in simple things like filming styles or editing styles.鈥�
Heltz鈥檚 film will be shown as part of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival.
