Health dangers can lurk in beach sand
By Beth Daley, Globe Staff
By now, we all know what happens when it rains too much near some beaches: Bacteria levels can get so high in the water swimming is not recommended.
But it turns out beach sand might be even more of a risk – and not only after it rains.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Environmental Protection Agency study reported in Science Daily last month shows that children and adults who spent the day digging in the sand – and worse, burying their bodies – are at greater risk of developing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal distress than those that merely walk on the beach.
(Globe photo/Fred Field) |
Both freshwater and marine sand can contain concentrations of E. coli – read that fecal contamination – in sand in much higher levels than that in water. Although beach water is monitored for E. coli, beach sand is not.
The North Carolina study was based on interviews with more than 27,000 people who visited seven freshwater and marine beaches between 2003 and 2005 and again in 2007. All beaches in the study were within about seven miles of sewage plant discharges but it's unclear why the sand was polluted. Scientists speculate it could be from animals or perhaps urban runoff.
People in the study, reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology, were asked about contact with the sand on the day they visited the beach. They then were called 10 to 12 days later to find out how they were feeling. Diarrhea and other stomach-based sicknesses were the most common in people who reported they were buried in the sand and those that dug in the sand. Researchers also found evidence of upper respiratory illnesses, rashes, eye problems, earaches and infected cuts. Overall however, less than ten percent of all age groups became sick.
But there is a way to protect against beach sand bacteria: Rinse or wash your hands. A new study out by the United States Geological Survey shows that submerging one's hands four times in clean water can remove almost all of E. coli from beach sand.
“Our mothers were right! Clean out hands before eating really works, especially after handling sand at the beach,’’ said Dr. Richard Whitman, the lead author of the USGS study. “Simply rinsing hands may help reduce risk, but a good scrubbing is the best way to avoid illness.”
Whitman and other researchers measured how many E. coli bacteria could be transferred to people’s hands when they dug in sand from the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Based on known illness rates, the scientist found that if individuals were to ingest all of the sand on their fingertips, 11 people in 1,000 would develop symptoms of stomach illness. If they ingested all the material on their hand, 33 in 1,000 would likely become ill.
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Gross
"But there is a way to protect against beach sand bacteria: Rinse or wash your hands."
OH MY GOD! You mean washing your hands really can keep germs out of your mouth? Hoo-da-thunk-it!
Now we all need to learn tying our shoes... THATS the biggie!
and if you eat all the material in your hand after digging thru the cat's litter box, you will get sicker still. Doh!
This is a most-emailed artice? Must be a slooow news day. What's the point? Should we expect sand to be completely sanitary?
I can't say I'm surprised. Between parents who leave dirty diapers on the beach and dog owners who refuse to clean up after their dogs, playing in the sand can be like playing in a litter box.
Lake Michigan is not a beach. How about doing some tests on a real coastline beach to see if the same results are found? I would guess it wouldn't.
Gross....but what's worse is the writing. High school level.
So?
Land sharks!
"A new study out by the United States Geological Survey shows that sumberging one's hands four times in clean water can remove almost all of E. coli from beach sand."
I've never "sumberged" my hands in anything, ever
From Beth Daley: Sorry! Forgot the spellchecker - and that is twice today.
"Based on known illness rates, the scientist found that if individuals were to ingest all of the sand on their fingertips, 11 people in 1,000 would develop symptoms of stomach illness. If they ingested all the material on their hand, 33 in 1,000 would likely become ill."
WOW REALLY? Jamming dirt from the ground into your stomach makes you ill? Holy crap, i better put down my Peanut butter and sand sandwich I just made from dorchester harbor.
Good LORD, what ISN'T dangerous!
Take your kids to the beach and let them have fun!
I watched "Monsters Inside Us" the other night......a case of e-coli heeby-jeebies is pretty mild in comparison to the squiggly nasties at some tropical beaches.
Obviously they are referring to Wollaston Beach in this ground breaking study.
the Health Nazis are at it again, using FEAR in place of COMMON SENSE....
This is an outrage! I demand that the government sterilize the sand at all the beaches.
It's "submerging", NOT "sumberging". Not to be picky, but guys, use a spellchecker, try to be professional at your job.
Run! Flee! Don't ever leave the house, for thar be dragons out there!
Seriously people. Grow up.
By the way, this sentence:
"All beaches in the study were within about seven miles of sewage plant discharges but it's unclear why the sand was polluted."
blew. my. mind.
I hear dirt can be dirty. LOL.
I love the beaches in New England and grew up with them at my disposal. Now, it is sad to think that we have to be wary of the illnesses they can impose on us. With all the money the Federal and State government wastes, some could be appropriated to clean up our waterfronts. It is so important for all of us to monitor the cleanliness of our living space for future residents.
I am an eye doctor in Boston. I have noticed an increase in referrals for treatment of Bacterial Conjuntivitis (pink eye) as a result of possible water or sand exposure. Many patient upon returning from vacations will report GI upset and blame it on the food ingested during their trip. Many times it is due to the bacteria levels in the water or sand while swimming which caused their problems.
Dr Cangiano, Vision North
I just soiled my pants. No I wasn't on the beach, I just got that scared reading this alarmist piece of trash.
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