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Chapter 4: Conclusions
This report has only begun to scratch the surface of the complex relationship between sand and bacteria. There are a number of questions that are yet to be answered. Beach water quality monitoring in the United States has dramatically improved in the last decade with most states monitoring their beaches at least every two weeks. Unfortunately, the monitoring has been limited to testing only recreational waters.
The findings in this report challenge the traditional interpretation of bacteria contamination, occurrence and survival at recreational beaches. With more evidence pointing to sand as a likely source of bacteria contamination, perhaps it is time for a “sea change” in our national beach science policy. To keep beaches healthy for the millions who visit each year, it is imperative that we understand the biological and geological processes affecting bacterial contamination of sand and the potential risks to human health. At present, however, there is no conclusive link between bacteria in sand and human health.[i] In fact, we know very little about the complex nature of bacteria in the coastal environment.
Hence, CBC is calling on leaders in government, the scientific community and the beach going public to take the following actions:
Call to Action 1: Establish a national science program to address the geological/biological processes between bacteria and sand, including epidemiological studies on the potential link to human health.
Call to Action 2: Establish a global network of researchers devoted to advancing the science of geological/biological processes of bacteria and sand, and their subsequent impacts on human health.
Call to Action 3: Establish a national coastal corps network of beach goers, committed to increasing beach science literacy through education, outreach and action.
To help us advance the call to action, please visit us online at www.cleanbeaches.org or contact us by email at info@cleanbeaches.org.
Thank you for your support.
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[i] "Microbial aspects of beach sand quality," Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Enviroments. Volume I, (World Health Organization: Geneva, 2003), pp. 118-124
