Relationships Among Bather Density, Levels of Human Waterborne Pathogens, and Fecal Coliform Counts in Marine Recreational Beach Water

Details

• Personal Author:
  Awantang GN ; Breysse PN ; Chomicz L ; Graczyk TK ; Graczyk Z ; Lucy FE ; Mashinski Y ; Sunderland D
• Description:
  During summer months, samples of marine beach water were tested weekly for human waterborne pathogens in association with high and low bather numbers during weekends and weekdays, respectively. The numbers of bathers on weekends were significantly higher than on weekdays (P < 0.001), and this was associated with a significant (P < 0.04) increase in water turbidity. The proportion of water samples containing Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi was significantly higher (P < 0.03) on weekends than on weekdays, and significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with enterococci counts. The concentration of all three waterborne pathogens was significantly correlated with bather density (P < 0.01). The study demonstrated that: (a) human pathogens were present in beach water on days deemed acceptable for bathing according to fecal bacterial standards; (b) enterococci count was a good indicator for the presence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and microsporidian spores in recreational marine beach water; (c) water should be tested for enterococci during times when bather numbers are high; (d) re-suspension of bottom sediments by bathers caused elevated levels of enterococci and waterborne parasites, thus bathers themselves can create a non-point source for water contamination; and (e) exposure to recreational bathing waters can play a role in epidemiology of microsporidiosis. In order to protect public health, it is recommended to: (a) prevent diapered children from entering beach water; (b) introduce bather number limits to recreational areas; (c) advise people with gastroenteritis to avoid bathing; and (d) use showers prior to and after bathing. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Digestive System Digestive System Diseases Environmental Pollution Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Bacteria Environmental Contamination Gastrointestinal System Disorders Pathogens Water Sampling Water Supply
• ISSN:
  0932-0113
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  106
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062757
• Citation:
  Parasitol Res 2010 Apr; 106(5):1103-1108
• Contact Point Address:
  Thaddeus K. Graczyk, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Environmental Health Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
• Email:
  tgraczyk@jhsph.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• Performing Organization:
  Johns Hopkins University
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Parasitology Research
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1274db58225f69cf11134decab5abde9f8517dfd0a6391c61f2785ccb6ff29394e9cd0ed2f92d0c0732e78f9c1a550b33f16ad7ffd3ec9a7cd729de096619646
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225947/cdc_225947_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 131.29 KB ]