Dozens of beaches across the U.S. close before July Fourth weekend due to fecal bacteria
Just before the long weekend of independence day, the country’s beaches closed and issued opinions due to excessive levels of harmful bacteria. The culprit is the fecal waste, a summer problem running in fresh water and the oceans that can cause gastrointestinal diseases and skin infections.
At least six states have issued closures or opinions for certain beaches and lakes that have been tested positive for levels of upper fecal bacteria above. In the Massachusetts, nearly two dozen beaches are closed due to excessive bacteria levels. Four beaches in New York are closed. The Illinois has issued at least eight reviews in recent weeks. The County of Los Angeles had released eight reviews on the quality of the ocean water on Tuesday. Michigan has closed three beaches.
Bacteria causing wreaking havoc for summer swimmers include E.coli and Enterococcus – Unpleasant germs often found in the excrement of people and animals. Contamination may occur due to wastewater, manure or runoff of the storm. E. coli is more likely to be found in fresh water, while Enterococcus can form in the navy and fresh water.
Edward Dudley, director of the E. Coli Reference Center of Pennsylvania State University, said that the water bodies test used for swimming is routine and common, just like closings.
The beach closures are more likely for summer months, when temperatures on the ocean surface are high and bacteria can develop more easily, said Antarpreet Jutla, an associate professor of environmental engineering science at the University of Florida. However, a variety of factors – including human activity, temperature and water movement – can affect bacterial growth, he said.
Jutla also said that beaches closings due to fecal bacteria are very common.
In North Carolina, officials warned the algae of cyanobacteria in Lake Norman, urging people to keep children and pets far from water that seems bright green, blue or scomed. Different from fecal bacteria, cyanobacteria are the most common cause of algae proliferations in fresh water, such as lakes or rivers, according to centers for disease control and prevention. Research suggests that climate change can more frequently trigger cyanobacterial algae.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency establishes guidelines on safe levels of fecal bacteria, states can establish their own water and surveillance standards. Some, like the Illinois, test the public beaches every two weeks.
“I would say that the higher the levels, the higher the risk,” said Dudley.
Although fecal waste can lead to many harmful diseases, experts are concerned about recent recent levels of another harmful bacteria: Vibrio.
Vibrio is a potentially fatal bacteria that has caused closings of similar beaches in recent years. The eating flesh bug thrives in warm and coastal waters. Jutla, who is researching Vibrio bacteria, saw Vibrio gradually migrate north through the United States. The Vibrio test depends on each state as well as its concentration limits, he said.
“This is a rare thing right now with growing trends throughout the country, but it is something that really concerns us – what will be present in coastal waters,” said Jutla about Vibrio.
The mortal V. Vulnificus is a rare type of bacteria, but infections have increased in recent years because it is monitoring the heating of ocean water on the eastern coast of the United States
