Exposure to human-associated chemical markers of fecal contamination and self-reported illness among swimmers at recreational beaches
Citation:
Napier, M., C. Poole, J. Stewart, D. Weber, S. Glassmeyer, D. Kolpin, E. Furlong, A. Dufour, AND Tim Wade. Exposure to human-associated chemical markers of fecal contamination and self-reported illness among swimmers at recreational beaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 52(13):7513-7523, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b00639
Impact/Purpose:
Recreational water quality is monitored for fecal sewage contamination using bacteria commonly found in wastewater, feces and sewage such as E. coli and Enterococcus. However, these organisms are not specific to humans and are found in a wide range of human and potentially environmental sources. Anthropomorphic chemicals have been proposed as potential markers of human fecal contamination used to monitor recreational water quality. However, to date, there is no research describing their relationships with illness risks. The primary objectives of this research were: (1) estimate the association between chemical markers of human-derived fecal pollution and self-reported illness among recreational swimmers, and (2) determine whether chemical markers were able to identify source when used in combination with conventional fecal indicators (commonly used fecal indicator bacteria, Enterococcus). Of the chemicals detected, none were consistently associated with increased risks of illness with the possible exception of bisphenol A and cholesterol. Those two chemicals were suggestively associated with 2% and 1% increased risks of gastrointestinal (GI) illness and diarrhea in both freshwater and marine beaches. These associations, however, were only of borderline statistical significance. Additional research is needed to support the use of chemical biomarkers to quantify risk of illness and identify sources contributing to fecal pollution of recreational water What is the expected use by EPA or others (to inform policy or other application)? It is expected that EPA Office of Water may use this information to inform their regular reviews of ambient water quality criteria.
Description:
Abstract Anthropogenic chemicals have been proposed as potential markers of human fecal contamination in recreational water. However, to date, there are no published studies describing their relationships with illness risks. Using a cohort of swimmers at seven U.S. beaches, we examined potential associations between the presence of chemical markers of human fecal pollution and self-reported gastrointestinal (GI) illness, diarrhea, and respiratory illness. Swimmers were surveyed about their beach activities, water exposure, and baseline symptoms on the day of their beach visit, and about any illness· experienced 10-12 days later. Risk differences were estimated using model-based standardization and adjusted for the swimmer's age, beach site, sand contact, rainfall, and water temperature. Sixty-two chemical markers were analyzed from daily water samples at freshwater and marine beaches. Of those, 20 were found consistently. With the possible exception of bisphenol A and cholesterol, no chemicals were consistently associated with increased risks of illness. These two chemicals were sugge tively associated with 2% and 1% increased risks of GI illness and diarrhea in both freshwater and marine beaches. Additional research using the more sensitive analytic methods currently available for a wider suite of analytes is needed to support the use of chemical biomarkers to quantify illness risk and identify fecal pollution sources.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Exposure to human-associated chemical markers of fecal contamination and self-reported illness among swimmers at recreational beaches