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PubMed2005

Indicator bacteria at five swimming beaches-analysis using random forests.

"Random forests," an extension of tree regression, provide a relatively new technique for exploring relationships of a response variable like the density of indicator bacteria in water to numerous potential explanatory variables. We used this tool to study relationships of indicator density at five beaches to numerous other variables and found that day of the week, indicator density 24h earlier, water depth at the sampling point, cloud cover, and others were related to density at one or more of the beaches. Using data from the first 52 days of measurement allowed predicting indicator densities in the following 10 days to order of magnitude at some of the beaches. Our analyses served to demonstrate the potential usefulness of this analytic tool for large data sets with many variables.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed1999

Message framing and sunscreen use: gain-framed messages motivate beach-goers.

Prospect theory suggests that people respond differentially to factually equivalent messages depending on how these messages are framed (A. Tversky & D. Kahneman, 1981). A. J. Rothman and P. Salovey (1997) relied on prospect theory to predict that messages highlighting potential "gains" should promote prevention behaviors such as sunscreen use best. This experiment compared the effectiveness of 4 differently framed messages (2 highlighting gains, 2 highlighting losses) to persuade 217 beach-goers to obtain and use sunscreen. Attitudes and intentions were measured before and immediately following the delivery of the framed information, and after completing the questionnaire participants were given a coupon redeemable for a small bottle of sunscreen later that same day. People who read either of the 2 gain-framed brochures, compared with those who read either of the 2 loss-framed brochures, were significantly more likely to (a) request sunscreen, (b) intend to repeatedly apply sunscreen while at the beach, and (c) intend to use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Litter pollution on the Jordanian shores of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea).

Litter was assessed on three beaches along the Jordanian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, south of the town Aqaba, monthly during 1994 and 1995, in order to determine its nature, extent and possible sources. The overall mean was about 5 and 3 items/m(2) in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Approximately a total of 14,000 m(2) were examined and a total of 101,000 items were noted, 67,000 during 1994 and 34,000 in 1995. More than 50% of the litter was plastic and the remainder wood, glass, cardboard, Styrofoam, metal and other materials. Most litter appears to be from local land-based or near shore sources, although there are some regional influences as well. The main local sources are the passenger port, the cargo port and the beach goers. The findings are compared with other regions of the world. The amount of litter is related to distance of the beach from the main sources, and shape, physiography and orientation of the beach. Spatial and seasonal variations are examined and discussed, and actions and measures to combat the problem on local and regional levels are suggested.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2006

Oregon Beach Monitoring Program: Bacterial exceedances in marine and freshwater creeks/outfall samples, October 2002-April 2005.

A total of 3086 samples, both marine (2916) and freshwater creeks/outfall samples (170) were collected and analyzed for enterococci during October 2002-April 2005, from 52 designated beaches in Oregon. A total of 3.2% (99/3086) of the samples at 21 beaches exceeded 158 most probable number (MPN)/100 milliliters (mL). The average enterococci levels of these 99 exceedances was 559 MPN/100 mL, with a maximum of 4352 MPN/100 mL (Otter Rock and Ona) and a minimum of 160 MPN/100 mL (Sunset Bay State Park, Bastendorff, and Mill). For marine water, 77/2916 (2.6%) exceeded 158 MPN/100 mL. For freshwater, 22/170 (12.9%) exceeded 158 MPN/100 mL, with a maximum of 587 MPN/100 mL at Sunset Bay. Sixty percent of the marine and 9% of freshwater exceedances occurred during the winter. Seventy-two percent (55/77) of the marine exceedances occurred after rainfall events (0.01-60.0 mm). At Harris and Mill Beaches, cumulative rainfall was highly correlated with bacterial densities, R = 0.7. Rainfall, at both beaches, explained about one-half the variation in log10 bacteria density (R2 = 0.5). Additional monitoring is warranted to further characterize bacterial contamination in Oregon waters.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed1998

Relationship between presence of Salmonella and indicators of faecal pollution in aquatic habitats.

The presence of Salmonella and its relationship with indicators of faecal pollution was investigated in aquatic habitats. The highest frequency was obtained in rivers (58.7% of samples) followed by freshwater reservoirs (14.8%) and sea water (5.9%). The sporadic presence of Salmonella (< 30%) on beaches with low concentrations of faecal streptococci (mean 25 CFU (100 ml)-1) may represent a potential risk for bathers in agreement with data found in previous epidemiological studies. Absence of Salmonella was observed only on beaches with very low densities (CFU (100 ml)-1) of indicator organisms (25 total coliforms, 13 faecal coliforms and 17 faecal streptococci).

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sun protection of children at the beach.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to determine the frequency with which sun protection measures are used by children at the beach. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken that combined a brief, structured interview with direct observation of the sun protection methods (sunscreen, clothing, hats, shade) used for children at a public beach in Florida. RESULTS: Of the 139 children observed, 97 (69.8%) had some form of sun protection used on all three body regions (head, torso, legs), while only 8 (5.8%) had none of the three body regions protected. Sunscreen was the most common method of sun protection (84.9%), and other methods were less frequently used (shirt 11.5%, pants 26.6%, hat 8.6%, shade 14.4%). Sun protection use differed by sex, with girls having better protection of their head and torso, and boys slightly better protection of their legs. CONCLUSIONS: Using direct observation, we found that parents frequently use sun protection measures (mainly sunscreen) for their children while at the beach. Parents primarily rely on the use of sunscreen, rather than such measures as avoiding the sun, using shade, or protective clothing.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2004

Natural radioactivity in beach sands from Doñana National Park and Mazagón (Spain).

Levels of natural alpha and gamma emitting radionuclides ((228)Ac, (214)Pb and (40)K) were measured in beach sands from samples collected in 1998-2000 from the beaches of Mazagón and Doñana National Park (on the Southwest Coast of Spain). The external radiation dose rate received by the population was estimated from these levels.

Background Radiation↗
PubMed2005

Vertical profiles and enrichment pattern of natural radionuclides in monazite areas of coastal Kerala.

Detailed studies on radionuclides concentration in different environmental matrices of high background areas were undertaken in the coastal areas of Karunagapalli, Chavara, Neendakara and Kollam to study the distribution and enrichment of the radionuclides in the region. The sand samples collected at different distances from sea waterline and at different depths, were analysed for primordial radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. The activity of primordial radionuclides was determined for the different size fractions of sand to study the enrichment pattern. The highest activity was found confined in 125-63 microm particle size fraction in sand. The minimum (232)Th activity was 9.4 Bq kg(-1), found in Kollam at a depth of 10-20 cm, 40 m away from waterline in 500-250 microm particle size fraction and maximum activity of 136,811.2 Bq kg(-1) was observed in Chavara in grains of size 125-63 microm at a depth of 0-10 cm for a sample collected 20 m away from waterline. The lowest (226)Ra activity observed was 29.6 Bq kg(-1) at Kollam beach for a sample 40 m away from waterline in grains of size 1000-500 microm and at a depth of 20-30 cm and the highest activity observed was 10,309 Bq kg(-1) in grains of size 125-63 microm for a sample collected at a distance 20 m away from waterline and at a depth of 0-10 cm. The activity of (40)K was below detectable level in most of the samples collected from the high background monazite area. The (232)Th, (226)Ra activities decrease with depth for the samples collected 20 m away from the waterline and increase with depth for the samples collected 40 m away from the waterline at Chavara and Kollam beaches. No definite correlation was found between variation of the concentrations of (232)Th and (226)Ra with depth at Karunagapalli and Neendakara beach sands. There exists a strong correlation between (226)Ra and (232)Th activities in the region. The results of these investigations are presented and discussed in this paper.

Background Radiation↗
PubMed2003

HIV infection and associated risks among young men who have sex with men in a Florida resort community.

OBJECTIVE: Several recent studies have reported high rates of sexual risk-taking and HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of these studies used samples of convenience. The authors obtained population-based data on young MSM living in South Beach (Miami Beach, Florida), a resort community where some of the highest AIDS rates in the United States have been reported. METHODS: A household probability sample was drawn to survey unmarried 18- to 29-year-old MSM living in South Beach. Subjects were interviewed, completed self-administered questionnaires, and provided oral specimens for HIV antibody testing. RESULTS: From the 2,622 screened residential units, 100 mostly white and Hispanic MSM (92.6% of eligible participants) were enrolled in the study. Fifteen percent of the sample tested positive for antibodies to HIV. White and Hispanic MSM had similar rates. Forty-five percent of the sample reported engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the prior 12 months, and 31% reported UAI with a nonprimary partner. The estimated annual incidence of HIV infection was 6.3%. CONCLUSION: The high prevalences of UAI and HIV infection in South Beach attest to a previously undocumented public health concern. The extremely high estimated incidence for young MSM in South Beach highlights the urgent need for more effective risk-reduction interventions and further epidemiological research on resort areas.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Some statistical issues related to multiple linear regression modeling of beach bacteria concentrations.

As a fast and effective technique, the multiple linear regression (MLR) method has been widely used in modeling and prediction of beach bacteria concentrations. Among previous works on this subject, however, several issues were insufficiently or inconsistently addressed. Those issues include the value and use of interaction terms, the serial correlation, the criteria for model selection, and model assessment. The present work shows that serial correlations, as often present in sequentially observed data records, deserve full attention from the modeler. The testing and adjustment for the time-series effect should be implemented in a statistically rigorous framework. The R(2) and Cp-statistic as joint criteria are recommended for the model selection process, while using the t-statistics associated with the full model is erroneous. During model selection, using interaction terms can often help to decrease the bias in reduced models, although the resulting improvement in the numerical performance may be limited. For the assessment of the model predictive capacity, which is different from testing the goodness of fit, a comprehensive set of statistics are advocated to allow for an objective evaluation of different models. Results obtained from the data at Huntington Beach, OH, show that erroneous conclusions could be drawn if only the model R(2) and the count of type I and type II errors are considered. In this sense, several previous works deserve further investigation.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2006

Persistence of fecal indicator bacteria in Santa Monica Bay beach sediments.

Monitoring the water quality of recreational beaches is only one step toward understanding microbial contamination -- the primary cause of beach closings. The surf zone sediment reservoir is typically overlooked and may also be important. This study involved monitoring the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) levels in water and sediment at three ocean beaches (two exposed and one enclosed) during a storm event, conducting laboratory microcosm experiments with sediment from these beaches, and surveying sediment FIB levels at 13 beaches (some exposed and some enclosed). Peaks in Escherichia coli and enterococci concentrations in water and sediment coincided with storm activity at the two exposed beaches, while levels of both FIB were consistently high and irregular at the enclosed beach. Results from microcosm experiments showing similar, dramatic growth of FIB in both overlying water and sediment from all beaches, as well as results from the beach survey, support the hypothesis that the quiescent environment rather than sediment characteristics can explain the elevated sediment FIB levels observed at enclosed beaches. This work has implications for the predictive value of FIB measurements, and points to the importance of the sediment reservoir.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2004

Elements of a predictive model for determining beach closures on a real time basis: the case of 63rd Street Beach Chicago.

Data on hydrometeorological conditions and E. coli concentration were simultaneously collected on 57 occasions during the summer of 2000 at 63rd Street Beach, Chicago, Illinois. The data were used to identify and calibrate a statistical regression model aimed at predicting when the bacterial concentration of the beach water was above or below the level considered safe for full body contact. A wide range of hydrological, meteorological, and water quality variables were evaluated as possible predictive variables. These included wind speed and direction, incoming solar radiation (insolation), various time frames of rainfall, air temperature, lake stage and wave height, and water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The best-fit model combined real-time measurements of wind direction and speed (onshore component of resultant wind vector), rainfall, insolation, lake stage, water temperature and turbidity to predict the geometric mean E. coli concentration in the swimming zone of the beach. The model, which contained both additive and multiplicative (interaction) terms, accounted for 71% of the observed variability in the log E. coli concentrations. A comparison between model predictions of when the beach should be closed and when the actual bacterial concentrations were above or below the 235 cfu 100 ml(-1) threshold value, indicated that the model accurately predicted openings versus closures 88% of the time.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed1993

The health effects of swimming at Sydney beaches. The Sydney Beach Users Study Advisory Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to determine the health risks of swimming at ocean beaches in Sydney, Australia. METHODS: From people attending 12 Sydney beaches in the period from December 5, 1989 to February 26, 1990, we recruited a cohort of 8413 adults who agreed to participate in this study. Of these, 4424 were excluded either because they had been swimming in the previous 5 days or because they reported a current illness. Of the remainder, 2839 successfully completed a follow-up telephone interview conducted within 10 days after recruitment. We recorded reported respiratory, gastrointestinal, eye, and ear symptoms and fever that occurred within the 10 days between initial interview on the beach and the follow-up interview. RESULTS: A total of 683 participants (24.0%) reported experiencing symptoms in the 10 days following initial interview. Of these, 435 (63.7%) reported respiratory symptoms. Swimmers were almost twice as likely as nonswimmers to report symptoms. There was a linear relationship between water pollution and all reported symptoms with the exception of gastrointestinal complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Swimmers at Sydney ocean beaches are more likely to report respiratory, ear, and eye symptoms than beachgoers who do not swim. The incidence of these symptoms increases slightly with increasing levels of pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Towards new models of cardiopulmonary resuscitation teaching: the role of practical scenario training on surf lifesavers' perceptions of resuscitation efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Surf lifesavers in Australia undertake numerous resuscitation scenarios in the course of their training and examination. The standard teaching and examination strategy is for the scenario to end with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and then breathing. This study was performed to assess the effect of this training technique on lifesavers' expectation of successful resuscitation and to determine the effect of experience on these expectations. METHODS: Participants were lifesavers from Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches (SLSSNB). Data was collected by questionnaire. Questionnaires were applied to newly qualified lifesavers, a random sample of patrolling lifesavers and a strategic group of lifesavers with extensive experience in resuscitation. Anticipation of ROSC was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: The mean VAS for the expected likelihood of successful resuscitation was 55.0+/-19.2% (95% CI: 51.3-58.6%). Published rates of ROSC range from 9 to 36.4%. Nearly 80% of our respondents expected better than 36.4% chance of ROSC. There was no difference in anticipation of ROSC between the three groups (F=0.41; 2,99df; P=0.67). Time since learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) did not affect the expectancy of ROSC (F=0.92; 5,101df; P=0.47). Similarly, the number of resuscitations performed by an individual did not affect anticipation of successful outcome (F=0.13; 3,102df; P=0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Surf lifesavers in the Sydney Northern Beaches branch have an exaggerated expectation of the chances of successful CPR following cardiac arrest. This expectation did not change with time since learning CPR or participation in actual resuscitations. New models for CPR education need to be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association of urban runoff with coastal water quality in Orange County, California.

The associations between storm events, urban runoff, and coastal water quality have not been well investigated. A temporal and spatial analysis of 2 years of data was conducted to determine associations between urban river discharge and indicator bacteria levels for Southern California beaches and evaluate the contribution of anomalous precipitation to the association. Data show beaches next to rivers had the highest bacterial levels in both wet and dry seasons. Bacterial levels rose substantially across all sites during wet months, and river discharge and bacterial levels were all highest during the winter with the most rainfall. Precipitation was significantly associated (Spearman rank bivariate correlation, P < 0.01) with water discharged from the rivers. River discharge was significantly associated with bacterial levels at 20 out of 22 beaches, with the strongest associations at sites next to rivers. The results indicate that urban river discharge is a primary source of Southern California's coastal water pollution and, as a result, swimming at beaches near rivers may pose a significant public health risk. The strong association found between precipitation and water pollution may be relevant to studies of potential health effects associated with climate change.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The role of the water factor in the dissemination of Toxocara eggs and the spread of toxocariasis in a megalopolis].

The water factor in transfer of the activators toxocariasis was not taken into account by parasitologists earlier. Yet in the urbanized ecosystems (first of all--in the megalopolis) it can have rather appreciable importance in distribution of toxocariasis in animals and man. Our researches which have been carried out in reservoirs of Moscow with the "wild" and the "organized" beaches, have revealed various, but as a whole their significant, of contaminations by invasion eggs Toxocara (Toxocara canis, T. mistax, and Toxascaris leonina). It specifies an opportunity of their hit in organism of the man and, as a consequence--toxocariasis. The examination of the patients toxocariasis of the people (first of all of children at the age of 3-10 years) have confirmed the fact of their bathing and involuntary swallow of water in urban unflowing reservoirs. In ecosystems of the megalopolis at a high level of parasite of pollution increased superinvasion of dogs and cats and free access of animals to internal reservoirs--the risk of infection of the people toxocariasis gradually grows.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Affordable virtual environments: building a virtual beach for clinical use.

Virtual Reality has been used for clinical application for about 10 years and has proved to be an effective tool for treating various disorders. In this paper, we want to share our experience in building a 3D, motion tracked, immersive VR system for pain treatment and biofeedback research.

Bathing Beaches↗
PubMed2002

Randomized controlled community trial of the efficacy of a multicomponent stage-matched intervention to increase sun protection among beachgoers.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is about as common as all other cancers combined and is preventable by sun protection. The most intense sun exposures often occur on the beach, so we chose this setting to test an intervention to affect sun protection behaviors. METHODS: We developed a multicomponent stage-matched intervention for beachgoers and evaluated its efficacy in a randomized trial for influencing stage of change and self-reported behavior. RESULTS: We randomized 2,324 persons ages 16 to 65 on the beach (83% of those approached). The intervention was effective in increasing self-reported sun protective behaviors. Effects were similar across gender and age groups. CONCLUSIONS; The beach is a good site for recruitment and intervention to prevent skin cancer in high-risk populations. Our stage-matched intervention package was effective for increasing sun protective behaviors.

Adolescent↗