Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say they've found evidence that a type of red-tide to%in that gets into the air from sea spray attacks and damages DNA in the lungs of laboratory rats. The finding suggests that the to%in, when inhaled, could contribute to cancer, although more study is needed.

The type of red tide to%in involved in the study occurs in the Gulf of Me%ico and is known for causing lung irritation. That to%in is not a problem in the Gulf of Maine, which has a different variety of red tide algae that has forced the closure of shellfish beds along the Maine coast this summer.

Maine's red tide algae, Ale%andrium, does not put to%ins into the air or pose any direct threat to human health, but instead accumulates in clams, mussels and other shellfish and can make them poisonous to eat.

The red-tide algae that causes problems in Florida, Karenia, breaks apart in the surf and releases to%ins into the air. Blooms frequently trigger warnings about lung irritation, although the long-term health risk associated with inhalation is only now being studied.

The two types of algae, as well as others around the world, are known as red tides because they can change the color of the water during big outbreaks. Red tide events, including those in Maine, have been increasing in frequency in recent years for unknown reasons, according to scientists.

Here is NOAA's press release about the study.