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Novel indicators of recreational water quality and swimming-associated illness
Citation:
Wade, Tim. Novel indicators of recreational water quality and swimming-associated illness. Presented at UNC Department of Env. Science and Engineering Seminar, September 27, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation to UNC Department of Env. Science and Engineering seminar series
Description:
In the United States and elsewhere, recreational water quality is monitored for fecal indicator bacteria to help prevent swimming-associated illnesses. Standard methods to measure these bacteria take at least 24 hours to obtain results. Molecular approaches such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) can estimate these bacteria faster, in under 3 hours. We conducted a series of studies designed to quantify the association between novel approaches to measuring recreational water quality and swimming associated illness. The National Environmental and Epidemiologic Assessment of Recreational Water Study (NEEAR Water Study) was a survey of beach goers and recreational water quality conducted between 2003 and 2009. A total of 53,533 subjects were enrolled at four freshwater and five marine beach sites. This seminar will present the methodology behind the studies, discuss and interpret the results, and suggest future research directions and needs.