Faculty Articles

Title

Daily measures of microbes and human health at a non-point source marine beach.

ISBN or ISSN

1477-8920

Publication Title

Journal of water and health

Volume

9

Issue

3

Publication Date / Copyright Date

9-1-2011

First Page

443

Last Page

457

Publisher

I W A Publishing

DOI Number

10.2166/wh.2011.146

Abstract

Studies evaluating the relationship between microbes and human health at non-point source beaches are necessary for establishing criteria which would protect public health while minimizing economic burdens. The objective of this study was to evaluate water quality and daily cumulative health effects (gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory illnesses) for bathers at a non-point source subtropical marine recreational beach in order to better understand the inter-relationships between these factors and hence improve monitoring and pollution prevention techniques. Daily composite samples were collected, during the Oceans and Human Health Beach Exposure Assessment and Characterization Health Epidemiologic Study conducted in Miami (Florida, USA) at a non-point source beach, and analyzed for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers, indicator microbes, and environmental parameters. Analysis demonstrated that rainfall and tide were more influential, when compared to other environmental factors and source tracking markers, in determining the presence of both indicator microbes and pathogens. Antecedent rainfall and F+ coliphage detection in water should be further assessed to confirm their possible association with skin and gastrointestinal (GI) illness outcomes, respectively. The results of this research illustrate the potential complexity of beach systems characterized by non-point sources, and how more novel and comprehensive approaches are needed to assess beach water quality for the purpose of protecting bather health.

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

Keywords

Bathing Beaches, Coliphages, Enterococcus, Enterovirus, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Monitoring, Epidemiological Monitoring, Florida, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Rain, Respiratory Tract Infections, Seawater, Water Microbiology

Peer Reviewed

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