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*A FASTER METHOD OF MEASURING RECREATIONAL WATER QUALITY FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF SWIMMER'S HEALTH
Citation:
WADE, T. J., R. L. CALDERON, E. A. SAMS, M. BEACH, K. P. BRENNER, AND A. P. DUFOUR. *A FASTER METHOD OF MEASURING RECREATIONAL WATER QUALITY FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF SWIMMER'S HEALTH. Presented at National Beaches Conference, Niagara Falls, NY, October 11 - 13, 2006.
Description:
We previously reported that a faster method (< 2 hours) of measuring fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), based on Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR), was predictive of swimming associated gastrointestinal illness. Using data from two additional beaches, we examined the relationship between water quality and illness (gastrointestinal, rash, earache, eye irritations, upper respiratory illness) and determined whether sensitive subgroups, such as children, were at an increased risk following exposure.
We surveyed beachgoers at four Great Lakes Beaches. Ten to twelve days later, we telephoned participants to determine the incidence of any new illnesses. We collected water samples each day and tested them for Enterococcus sp. using QPCR.
Among the 21,105 beachgoers enrolled, those reporting body or head immersion in water had a higher incidence of rash, earache and gastrointestinal illness. Gastrointestinal illness was positively associated with the daily and 8:00 AM Enterococcus cell equivalent (CE) average. Each 1-log increase in the daily average Enterococcus CE, was associated with 20 excess cases of gastrointestinal illness per 1000 swimmers. Among children 10 and under, there was a stronger relationship (Attributable Risk=48/1000 95%CI= 21-76/1000). The relationship between rash and Enterococcus QPCR CE was slightly elevated, but was not consistent across all four beaches.
A faster method of measuring water quality will protect public health and increase the efficiency of beach monitoring programs. These studies demonstrated that one such method, Enterococcus QPCR, is predictive of swimming-associated gastrointestinal illness. These studies also demonstrated that children are more susceptible to illness following swimming exposure.
This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.