Deadly toxin found for the first time in Australia in Sydney water linked to incurable killer disease

A toxin linked to an incurable motor neurone disease has been discovered in algae in Sydney waters.

The toxin was found in the Manly Dam, Centennial Park and Botany wetlands in Sydney and the Murrumbidgee River in regional New South Wales.

It was the first time the neurotoxin known as BMAA had been found in Australian waterways, researcher Brendan Main wrote in the Conversation. 

The compound is linked to motor-neurone disase, which paralysed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking for decades and ultimately led to his death.

Motor Neurone Disease causes the degeneration of the motor neurons and wasting of the muscles.

University of Technology researcher Ken Rodgers told the Manly Daily research in the US shows living 'within a mile of a place with algal blooms' increases the risk of the disease.

The compound is linked to motor-neurone disase, which paralysed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking for decades and ultimately led to his death.

Motor Neurone Disease causes the degeneration of the motor neurons and wasting of the muscles.

University of Technology researcher Ken Rodgers told the Manly Daily research in the US shows living 'within a mile of a place with algal blooms' increases the risk of the disease.

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