The OP updated their story with further info overnight. Some areas hit levels of Carbon Monoxide over 27,121 ppbv. Since there are 1,000 millions in a billion, if we divide 27,121 by 1,000 we get a level of 27 ppm. That's half the max value for exposure in 24 hours; except you get it within minutes!

They show that outside the "bloom" the levels of CO are at their "usual" of about 150, but inside the bloom: 27,121.

Whoever the person is that questioned the credibility of the source, you should have taken time to actually visit the link they provided where you could have seen it for yourself before claiming it to be a "terrible, terrible source for anything." You made a fool of yourself.