Beach Closures on the Rise
The number of U.S. beach closures and no-swim advisories reached a record high last year, and three Midwestern states were part of the worst offenders. The study by the NRDC revealed that pollution and better monitoring of its effects caused more than 25,000 closures of beaches nationwide.
Pesticides, sewage, trash and pet waste from developed areas near beaches get washed to the nearest shore after heavy rains that come each year according to the study. Small children, the elderly and pregnant women are most likely to be affected by pollution-caused problems such as skin rashes and serious water-borne diseases like meningitis.
Two of the best ways to protect yourself are to wait at least 24 hours to swim at the beach after a heavy rainfall, and to never swallow the water. Beachgoers should also pick a beach that is regularly tested for cleanliness.
The New York-New Jersey coastline topped the list with a 96 percent increase in advisories and closures over the previous year. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Rhode Island and Minnesota are among the worst offenders of not protecting their beaches.
August 10, 2007 7:11 AM | Category: Beaches