State health workers are testing the air around an area lake after people say it made them sick.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services was scheduled to be at Tainter Lake in Dunn County Thursday. And the DNR says biologists will take water samples for the health department at Lake Menomin Friday.

If looking at the slimy, green water doesn't make you feel a little ill, you probably haven't been close enough to smell it.

"I am literally almost throwing up; it’s that bad,” says John Sobota of Menomonie. “The stench is terrible."

Sobota did actually lose his lunch Wednesday while taking pictures at Lake Menomin.

"The mask is because health-wise I cannot tolerate this odor," Lois Flis tells us through a medical mask she wears outside her home.

Flis lives just up the street from the lake. She spent Thursday morning asking anyone who dared to come near the water to sign a petition asking the city for help.

“Algae smells, but this is a concentration of odor that tells you to get the heck out of here," Flis says.

"You don't want to breath the air," says Linda Lawrence.

Lawrence filed a report with the state after Tainter Lake made her sick; something she wasn't prepared for when she bought her home and started a bait business last spring.

“I have not been out in the boat. No fishing. You really do restrict your time outside,” Flis says.

The State Department of Health Services says because of a spike in illness reports and additional grant funding, it's testing the air at Tainter Lake.

“The air seems to be causing irritations for people,” says Stephanie Marquis, a spokesperson for the department. “Our recommendation is close any windows facing the lake and refrain from taking walks along the lake shore. It seems to be particularly high this year because of the fact that you’ve had the perfect weather.”

Perfect weather that's sending people running from the water.

"It's the worst I’ve seen in years,” Sobota says.”

Here's a link to the WI Department of Health Service website with all sorts of information about blue-green algae. It's also where you can file a complaint.