Beach Sand Can Make You Sick
The beach has all sorts of ways to punish you for daring to relax. The sun can burn you and give you cancer, while the water can drown and poison you. Then there’s the sand, which can contain pathogens that can sicken you. According to a study led by the Environmental Protection Agency, the sand poses more of a risk than the water or sun. Researchers interviewed those who had spent time at beaches in Rhode Island and Alabama and concluded that those who dug in the sand were more likely to have suffered symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Those who buried themselves in the sand faced the greatest risk. An EPA rep says the news isn’t a reason not to enjoy the beach. But you should wash up before you eat and after you leave the area.
The beach has all sorts of ways to punish you for daring to relax. The sun can burn you and give you cancer, while the water can drown and poison you. Then there’s the sand, which can contain pathogens that can sicken you. According to a study led by the Environmental Protection Agency, the sand poses more of a risk than the water or sun. Researchers interviewed those who had spent time at beaches in Rhode Island and Alabama and concluded that those who dug in the sand were more likely to have suffered symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Those who buried themselves in the sand faced the greatest risk. An EPA rep says the news isn’t a reason not to enjoy the beach. But you should wash up before you eat and after you leave the area.
