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It's Not Safe Anywhere: USGS Says Beach Sand Often Filthier Than Water

September 14, 2008 at 2:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

The buzzkills over at the U.S. Geological Survey have finally succeeded in taking all the fun out of a day at the beach. A report released on Friday points out that all this time spent worrying about how much poop is in the water off our nation's beaches might be better spent fretting about the poop on the beaches themselves. Recent research has indicated that "beach sand contains high concentrations of E. coli and other fecal indicator bacteria, often greatly exceeding the concentration in beach water." So much for sticking your toes in the sand. While the health risks of sand-borne bacteria aren't yet known, it's got us wondering where in the world we might go for sun, surf, and the peace of mind that goes with not being exposed to human sewage. Paging Dr. Beach.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· Beach Sand Often More Contaminated Than Water [USGS]
· Beach Coverage [Jaunted]

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