A popular way to beat the heat during the summer is to cool off on various shorelines, from lakes to oceans. However, a startling new report might make people think twice before taking the plunge.
According to an Environment America report, about half of New York’s beaches were found to be potentially unsafe last year due to fecal contamination levels. At least one day it exceeded the “Beach Action Value” set by the Environmental Protection Agency, a preventative tool for measuring bacteria.
According to the data collected, one in nine waterfronts had dangerous fecess on at least 25% of the days the tests were conducted. The Gulf Coast was the most polluted, with more than 80% of the coasts affected, while the West Coast and the Great Lakes were left behind.
It may interest you
Although results vary by state, New York ranks first as the most dangerous place among the neighbors of the three statesfollowed by New Jersey and Connecticut.
Nearly 350 beaches in New York were analyzed to detect fecal bacteriaand more than half were not meeting safety standards, both in the Great Lakes and on Long Island. The main questionable beaches were Ontario Beach in Monroe County and Tanner Beach in Suffolk County.
Atlantic County in New Jersey and Fairfield County in Connecticut had the potentially most alarming days last year.
Bacteria buildup can come from sources such as sewage overflow, polluted stormwater, and decaying infrastructure that allows untreated sludge to enter waterways.
According to an Environmental Health study, around 90 million cases of illnesses related to aquatic recreation occur throughout the country, with costs of up to $3.7 billion annually. Almost 60% of these illnesses are attributed to swimming, but many similar ailments go unreported.
Gastrointestinal, nasal and respiratory problems are common when playing in problematic lakes, oceans, rivers and ponds.
According to Environment America, Some of the best ways to improve water quality at beaches include investing in natural infrastructure, modernize sewage systems and enact moratoriums on large-scale livestock operations.
2023-07-18 18:05:00
#Report #reveals #polluted #beaches #York
