Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Bathing Beaches”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Urban diffuse sources of faecal indicators.

Increasing concern about bathing water quality in Scotland has led to renewed interest in diffuse sources, as well as the already closely monitored municipal sewage effluents and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that have been the subject of multi-million pound capital expenditure schemes for several years. Early investigations of diffuse sources focused on rural land uses. This paper is an initial effort to consider the possible significance of urban diffuse sources. A review of the potential for diffuse urban sources includes consideration of sewage pollution in surface water sewers, as well as non-human sources such as pigeon and other bird roosts, and faecal material from pets such as dogs and cats. Portobello beach in Edinburgh is the case study selected, because of earlier work done by Scottish Water and SEPA. The Figgate Burn crosses Edinburgh to discharge onto the beach at Portabello, and pollution sources in its catchment are described. Additional information is reported from Dunfermline, where the sewer network has provided examples of three ways in which sewage pollution can occur in urban streams, and also Scottish examples of measures to control some non-human sources (e.g. SUDS).

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Assessing the improvement of the Bilbao estuary water quality in response to pollution abatement measures.

To evaluate the success of almost 20 years of pollution abatement in the Bilbao estuary watershed in northern Spain, we analyzed temporal trends in pollution discharges and water quality from 1993 to 2003. Over that period a great portion of the raw wastewater discharge was intercepted and treated, leading to a significant reduction in the pollution load to the estuary (51.8% in biochemical oxygen demand, 70.9% in ammonia nitrogen and 81.9% in faecal coliforms). Temporal trends of mean annual levels of water quality variables showed statistically significant increases in dissolved oxygen saturation (between 2.04 and 4.11%/year) and decreases in ammonia nitrogen (between -4.15 and -175.75 microM NH3/year) and faecal coliforms concentrations (from 2.55 x 10(5) to 2.13 x 10(4) CFU/100ml). The improvement of the Bilbao estuary water quality reported in this paper is primarily attributed to the pollution abatement measures accomplished by the local water authority. Finally, as a result of these pollution control efforts, European bathing water quality standards were met at local beaches.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2001

Generation of enterococci bacteria in a coastal saltwater marsh and its impact on surf zone water quality.

Elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, an indicator of fecal pollution, are routinely detected in the surf zone at Huntington State and City Beaches in southern California. A multidisciplinary study was carried out to identify sources of enterococci bacteria landward of the coastline. We find that enterococci bacteria are present at high concentrations in urban runoff, bird feces, marsh sediments, and on marine vegetation. Surprisingly, urban runoff appears to have relatively little impact on surf zone water quality because of the long time required for this water to travel from its source to the ocean. On the other hand, enterococci bacteria generated in a tidal saltwater marsh located near the beach significantly impact surf zone water quality. This study identifies a potential tradeoff between restoring coastal wetlands and protecting beach water quality and calls into question the use of ocean bathing water standards based on enterococci at locations near coastal wetlands.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed2003

Escherichia coli and enterococci at beaches in the Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan: sources, characteristics, and environmental pathways.

This study quantified Escherichia coli (EC) and enterococci (ENT) in beach waters and dominant source materials, correlated these with ambient conditions, and determined selected EC genotypes and ENT phenotypes. Bathing-water ENT criteria were exceeded more frequently than EC criteria, providing conflicting interpretations of water quality. Dominant sources of EC and ENT were bird feces (10(8)/d/bird), storm drains (10(7)/d), and river water (10(11)/d); beach sands, shallow groundwater and detritus were additional sources. Beach-water EC genotypes and ENT phenotypes formed clusters with those from all source types, reflecting diffuse inputs. Some ENT isolates had phenotypes similar to those of human pathogens and/or exhibited high-level resistance to human-use antibiotics. EC and ENT concentrations were influenced by collection time and wind direction. There was a 48-72-h lag between rainfall and elevated EC concentrations at three southern shoreline beaches, but no such lag at western and eastern shoreline beaches, reflecting the influence of beach orientation with respect to cyclic (3-5 d) summer weather patterns. In addition to local contamination sources and processes, conceptual or predictive models of Great Lakes beach water quality should consider regional weather patterns, lake hydrodynamics, and the influence of monitoring method variables (time of day, frequency).

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Sex hustling, injection drug use, and non-gay identification by men who have sex with men. Associations with high-risk sexual behaviors and condom use.

OBJECTIVE: To explore differences in demographic characteristies, risk practices, and preventive behaviors among subgroups of men who have sex with men (MSM), including gay- and non-gay-identified MSM, MSM who inject drugs, and those engaging in sex hustling. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires in a purposive sample of MSM. SETTING: Gay bars, bath houses, adult video arcades, and out-door crusing areas in Denver and Long Beach. PARTICIPANTS: Men who reported oral or anal sex with another man in the past year with oversampling of non-gay-identified MSM. RESULTS: Of 1,290 MSM, 417 (32%) did not gay-identify, 86 (7%) were drug injectors, and 117 (9%) were hustlers. Of drug-injecting MSM, 55% reported sex hustling and 40% of hustlers reported injection drug use. Hustling was associated with higher number of partners, more frequent anal sex with men and women, and less frequent condom use during anal sex with occasional male partners. Hustlers and drug-injecting MSM used condoms less consistently during vaginal intercourse with female partners than did other MSM. CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM, subgroups at particularly high risk for HIV can be identified. Although these subgroups may be relatively small, they may be important epidemiologic links to the larger MSM and heterosexual communities and warrant focused behavioral interventions to prevent the further spread of HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Skin cancer prevention: children's health education on protection from sun exposure and assessment of its efficiency.

The aim of the study was to assess schoolchildren's knowledge on sun exposure, the peculiarities of behavior in the sun, and the possibility of altering these indicators via education program. The study of the efficiency of the self-designed educational program "Let's know the sun better" included 213 fifth grade pupils (113 boys and 100 girls) from Kaunas city schools; the pupils were differentiated into two groups: the experimental (n=106) and the control (n=107) groups. The method employed was anonymous questionnaire-based inquiry. The data of the inquiry applied before the application of the educational programs showed that schoolchildren's behavior in the sun is careless: 40.4% of the studied schoolchildren experienced severe sunburns; 54.0% of children spend three and more hours on the beaches, most frequently between 11 am and 3 pm. Not all schoolchildren use sun protection measures. Most frequently they only have bathing suits (70.0%), baseball caps (56.8%), and sunglasses (57.7%). Out of the studied schoolchildren 18.8% use sunscreen, but only 7.3% of them know how to use it properly. The second inquiry was performed after the schoolchildren were able to apply the recommendations of the educational program "Let's know the sun better" in practice during the summer. The data of this inquiry showed that the knowledge, attitudes, and the peculiarities of behavior in the sun in the experimental group were better compared to the control group. Significantly more schoolchildren in the experimental group (44.1%), compared to the control group (8.5%), used sunscreens properly (p<0.05) and knew which sunscreen is the most suitable (respectively, 42.3% and 20.6%; p<0.05); in addition to that, the children in the experimental group more frequently wore long-sleeved shirts on the beaches (21.0% and 7.5%, respectively; p<0.05), wide-brimmed sunbonnets (37.1% and 10.4%; p<0.05), and sunglasses (61.9% and 44.3%; p<0.05). The findings of the study proved both the necessity and the efficiency of the prepared educational program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Microbial and nutrient pollution of coastal bathing waters in Mauritius.

The coastal pollution problem in Mauritius is exacerbated by the hydrogeology of the volcanic substratum. Bacterial contamination of bathing waters and nutrients, water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were monitored at three different spatial and temporal scales along the coastline of Mauritius during 1997-1998. Standard techniques for water sample collection and analysis set by the American Public Health Association [APHA. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 19th ed. Washington, DC: APHA, 1995.] were used at: (a) 16 sites around the island over a period of 7 months; (b) 12 stations along a recreational beach over an 18-month period; and (c) at an underground freshwater seepage point over 1 day. Total coliform (TC), faecal coliform (FC), and faecal streptococci (FS) contamination reported during all surveys varied randomly (e.g., with maximum densities in the ranges of 346-2020 TC, 130-2000 FC, and 180-1040 FS at one site) and at times exceeded the established EEC and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) standards for bathing water (e.g., in >90% of samples) to qualify for beach closure. Computed FC:FS ratios were used to pinpoint human faecal matter as the main source of contamination. Nitrate, phosphate, and silicate concentrations in seepage water were high (3600-9485, 38-105, and 9950-24,775 microg l(-1), respectively) and a cause for concern when compared with levels (5-845, 5-72, and 35-6570 microg l(-1), respectively) in cleaner lagoon water samples. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations (for TC and NO3: r=.75, P<.02; for TC and PO4: r=.779, P<.02; for TC and SiO4: r=.731, P<.05; for FC and NO3: r=.773, P<.02; for FC and SiO4: r=.727, P<.05; for FS and SiO4: r=.801 P<.01) between microbial densities and nutrients recorded, confirming the pathogen-contaminated water to be highly eutrophic. There is an urgency for Mauritius to properly address the issue of sewage treatment and wastewater discharge to safeguard its coastal environment, public health, and tourism expansion.

Enterobacteriaceae↗
PubMed2001

Public perceptions of environmental quality: a survey study of beach use and perceptions in Los Angeles County.

Despite documented successes in the battle to clean up the coastal waters of Southern California, Los Angeles County residents continue to view the ocean more as a place of pollution than a vibrant and healthy place for bathing and swimming. This study shows that residents of Los Angeles County tend to hold perceptions of marine water quality that are at odds with data on bacteriological measures of water quality collected by local sanitation districts (and reported by not-for-profit Heal the Bay). Summary results of a survey of 400 randomly chosen households in Los Angeles County are given. Respondents were asked about their beach use and perceptions of environmental quality: both coastal water quality and air quality. The results suggest that perceptions of coastal water quality may be influenced less by "current coastal education campaigns" and more by the media and other factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Isolation and quantification of Salmonella in the waters of the Río de la Plata destined for recreation].

Thirty three samples from recreational waters from different areas of Río de la Plata were tested for Salmonella (Fig. 1). A 200 ml sample filtered through a diatom bed as well as 2 and 20 ml samples without filtering were studied using a simple and economical technique. The isolation probability was directly dependent on the water volume analyzed. Best results were obtained when tetrathionate broth with novobiocin and Salmonella shigella agar were used (Table 3). Salmonella was isolated from 36% of the samples studied and 12 serotypes were identified (Table 5). The relation between the NPM of each bacteriological indicator used and the NPM of Salmonella are shown in Table 4. Correlation values were calculated by relating mean point logarithms of the classes in Table 4 with the isolation percentages of Salmonella for each class. These values were low, except for fecal Streptococcus (R2 = 0.94). The high density of fecal coliforms found in Bagliardi and Pescadores Beaches (rarely less than 10.000 bacteria/100 ml) and the incidence of Salmonella, lead us to conclude that these waters are unsafe for bathing and swimming, specially for children, according with the international recommendation on the quality of recreational waters. Waters with the characteristics described here should be periodically analyzed for Salmonella concentration. The lack of correlation values between the MPN of total and fecal coliforms and the MPN of Salmonella, also supports this advise.

Argentina↗
PubMed2001

Recreation in coastal waters: health risks associated with bathing in sea water.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To find out whether bathing in sewage polluted waters implies a danger to bathers' health and to determine the best microbiological indicator to predict the relation between bathing and the appearance of some symptoms. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: City of Santander (north of Spain). PARTICIPANTS: From the people going to four Santander beaches in the period from 1 July to 16 September 1998, a cohort of 2774 persons was recruited who agreed to participate in this study. Of those, 1858 successfully completed a follow up interview conducted in seven days. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, eye, and ear symptoms, and fever occurring during the seven day follow up were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: A total of 136 participants (7.5%) reported symptoms. Visitors reported experiencing symptoms with more frequency than residents. Incidence rates of gastrointestinal, cutaneous and high respiratory tract symptoms were higher in bathers, but the differences were not significant. Total symptoms were related with the amount of total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci in the water. Gastrointestinal and skin symptoms kept a positive trend with the degree of water pollution by total coliforms in both crude and adjusted analyses. An increased risk was observed in 2500-9999 total coliforms per 100 ml, a figure over the proposed standard, although below the European Union mandatory limit. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that total coliforms are the best predictors of the symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Lifetime health risk assessment from exposure of recreational users to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

In order to assess the lifetime risk of skin cancer for recreational users from dermal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sediment samples were collected from beach sites along the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and in Hamilton Harbor and Toronto Harbor, Ontario, and analyzed for PAHs. Dermal exposure and lifetime skin cancer risk were estimated as follows: Concentrations of 11 PAHs with sufficient or limited evidence of carcinogenicity or mutagenicity were converted to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) equivalents using toxic equivalency factors (TEFs). Lifetime dermal exposure values were derived based on the BaP equivalents in the silt + clay fraction taken as representative of suspended sediment particulates to which recreational users would be exposed. The lifetime health risk of skin cancer associated with such exposures was above the negligible risk level of 1.0 x 10(-6) at offshore Rytac, Lake George Channel, and Bell Point beaches in the St. Marys River; at Pier 4 Park in Hamilton Harbor; and at Humber Bay, Sunnyside Beach, Cherry Beach, and Water Rats Sailing Club in Toronto Harbor. Risk was negligible inshore at the Rytac and Bell Point beaches and at Squirrel Island and Ojibway Trailer Park along St. Marys River, at Lax Beach in Hamilton Harbor; and at Centre Island in Toronto Harbor. Strategies to reduce risk were developed with these communities; a key recommendation was to take a bath or shower within 24 h after a swim because virtually all the PAHs on the skin would be removed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Bacterial fluctuations in the recreational waters of the Mar del Plata area].

In the period comprised between 1981 and 1983, a study was carried out in relation with the bacteriological quality of the sea water used for recreational purposes. Beaches are situated along 35 km of coast, including Mar Chiquita and Gral. Pueyrredón Departments. The principal pollution focus is the city of Mar del Plata which, like many other big cities, overturns its industrial, rainy and urban sewer liquids to the sea, with no previous treatment, in most of the cases. The effluent open sewer, situated in the north suburban district, drives into the sea the content of three maximum sewers that recollect domiciliary branches. To determine quali and quantitatively heterotrophic aerobic mesophilic, psicrophilic, marine and E. coli bacteria, water samples were taken at 0.30 m depth, behind the shoal, in each of the 17 determined stations (Figure 1), and an enumeration of colonies in agar plate was carried out in duplicate. E. coli was used as indicator of fecal contamination and served to establish the quality of the water used in bath and other recreational functions. The quantification was done by recounts in plates or membrane filter methods, in duplicate, with previous revivification. Serology of strains isolated from marine medium by polyvalent sera was done. Independently of the recount obtained, the distribution of serological groups was rather uniform along all the coast. Colony-forming units (CFU) did not exceed values of 240/100 ml, except in the beach situated at 0.5 km of the effluent, which always gave values above those accepted internationally for bathing waters or other recreational uses (Figure 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Argentina↗
PubMed2001

The consequences of the Odra flood (summer 1997) for the Odra lagoon and the beaches of Usedom: what can be expected under extreme conditions?

The exceptional flood of the river Odra in July/August 1997 caused severe damage, especially on the Polish side of the Odra valley. An additional 5 km3 of water were discharged during the flood. This represents about a third of the normal annual Odra discharge of 17 km3. Large agricultural and industrial areas were submerged, as well as towns and villages. However, as regards the Odra lagoon and the beaches of the Isle of Usedom, the substances transported, such as nutrients and pollutants, did not cause much damage, due to strong dilution. Hygienic investigations (human pathogenic bacteria and viruses) showed that the water had bathing quality during the whole flood.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recovery of viruses and bacteria in waters off Bondi beach: a pilot study.

A pilot study was conducted between February and April, 1989, on the occurrence of sewage-derived viruses and bacteria in the beach and nearshore waters off Bondi, Sydney. Enteroviruses were isolated from 41% of a total of 66 sewage, sea-water, grease and sediment samples. Poliovirus vaccine strains accounted for 78% of the isolates. Adenoviruses were isolated four times and coxsackievirus B was isolated twice in samples that were collected away from the bathing area. Rotavirus and hepatitis A virus were not detected. The number of faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, Aeromonas hydrophila and Clostridium perfringens in the sewage ranged from 10(4) to 10(7) cfu/100 mL. An initial reduction of 10(2)-10(3) in bacterial counts was observed in the plume (the effluent's initial dilution zone) and a further reduction of 10(2)-10(4) in counts in samples that were collected away from the plume. Salmonella spp. were detected in one-third of the samples and low numbers of Campylobacter jejuni were found in the sewage and plume. Salmonella serotypes that were associated with the sewage and plume were distinct from those in the stormwater and beachwater, indicating that stormwater may be an important source of pollution on Bondi beach.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hygienic aspects of water quality from the Danube River in Novi Sad].

In order to assess the water quality of the Danube river during the bathing season (June, 15. -September, 15.) from 1992-1995, water was examined every day (bacteriologically and chemically) while "big chemistry", hybrid analysis and determination of physiologic groups were performed every other week at the locality of the most beautiful beach called Strand in Novi Sad. Analyses showed that water did not meet criteria of the II class quality in regard to microbiologic requirements in 63.44% of samples (n = 372) and in 6.45% of samples in regard to chemical requirements (n = 372). On the basis of zooplankton and phytoplankton distribution, water of the Danube river belongs to the demanded class of betamesosaprobicity (saprobic index after Pantle-Buck 1.9-2.33). According to Kohl categorization, water belongs to the II and III class. Analyses of the nonspecific bacteriophage point to the most common occurrence of bacteriophage for Shigella sonnei. Salmonella paratyphi B and Shigella flexneri 2-a, which points to earlier fecal contamination. In regard to physiologic groups, water contained heterogenic organic materials. On the basis of occurrence of oligotrophs and heterotrophs, the process of self-purification is mostly satisfactory. The most important causes of chemical contamination were as follows: supersaturation and saturation, decreased oxygen concentration, increased use of BPK5, as well as increased concentrations of iron, barium, arsenic, total dissolving phenols, and occasionally strontium and chloroform. Remains of organochlorine insecticides used to be found in earlier periods.

Water Microbiology↗
PubMed2001

Microbiological monitoring of marine recreational waters in southern California.

An inventory was conducted to assess the number, type, spatial distribution, and costs of microbiological monitoring programs in southern California marine waters from Point Conception to the US/Mexico International Border. The location of each sampling site was determined using global positioning system (GPS), and estimates of geographic coverage were determined using geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Twenty-one programs conducted 87,007 tests annually at 576 sites in the study area. The largest number of sites was sampled in Orange County, whereas the largest number of analyses was performed in Los Angeles County because monitoring programs in this area focused on daily monitoring. Fifteen of the 21 programs were managed by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitted sewage effluent dischargers who sampled both offshore and shoreline waters and typically tested for three indicator bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus). Their combined efforts comprised 82% of all of the microbiological indicator analyses conducted on an annual basis. Five of the remaining monitoring organizations were public health agencies, which typically focus their efforts on testing only total coliforms. Laboratory methodology also varied considerably, with NPDES permittees predominantly utilizing membrane filtration while public health agencies generally used multiple tube fermentation or premanufactured test kits. Nearly three quarters of all the effort expended in southern California occurred along the shoreline as opposed to offshore locations. Two thirds of this shoreline effort was focused on high-use sandy beaches and in proximity to perennial fresh-water outlets (storm drains and creeks). Most sampling occurred at a set of fixed sites that were revisited frequently, but only represented about 7% of the total shoreline. We estimated that roughly $3 million is spent annually on monitoring bathing water quality in southern California, exceeding that spent in any other part of the country.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A standardized instrument to assess hazards for falls in the home of older persons.

Hazards in the home are implicated in up to half of all falls among older persons. Yet, the instruments used to identify these hazards usually have been unstandardized, have lacked specific definitions of hazards, and have not been evaluated. Therefore, in 1988, as part of the Study to Assess Falls among the Elderly, in Miami Beach, Florida, the authors evaluated the reliability of a standardized instrument used for assessing the training of evaluators and assessing home environments. Based on up to 176 observations for each potential hazard, the interviewers' assessment of hazards such as throw rugs, tripping hazards, light switch hazards, and hazardous bath surfaces had good overall reliability (kappa = 0.65-0.92). Their assessment of grab-bars and hazardous furniture was unreliable (kappa = 0.18-0.35). Variations in the reliability reflect the difficulty in creating definitions that are simple to be understood and used, yet detailed enough to produce sensitive and specific survey items. Investigators studying falls among older persons should use standardized definitions to train evaluators and assess environmental hazards.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Derivation of numerical values for the World Health Organization guidelines for recreational waters.

In April 2001, draft 'Guidelines' for safe recreational water environments were developed at a World Health Organization (WHO) expert consultation. Later the same month, these were presented and discussed at the 'Green Week' in Brussels alongside the on-going revision of the European Union Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC. The WHO Guidelines cover general aspects of recreational water management as well as define water quality criteria for various hazards. For faecal pollution, these include faecal indicator organism concentrations and an assessment of vulnerability to faecal contamination. Central to the approach set out in the WHO Guidelines are: (i) the concept of beach profiling to produce a 'sanitary inspection category' which implies a priori hazard assessment as a core management tool and (ii) the prediction of poor water quality to assist in real time risk assessment and public health protection. These management approaches reflect a harmonized approach towards the assessment and management of risk for water-related infectious disease being applied by WHO. Numerical microbiological criteria for intestinal enterococci are proposed in the new Guidelines. These were developed using a novel approach to disease burden assessment, which has been applied to both recreational waters and urban air quality. This paper explains the scientific rationale and mathematical basis of the new approach, which is not presented in the WHO Guidelines for recreational waters.

Cities↗