Beaches: Fecal Matter May Be Lurking In The Sand

New findings published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology reveal that resting on the beach next to a clear blue ocean may not be the freshest spot to spend your summer vacation. 

Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have discovered that beachgoers shouldn't just watch out for yellow water. Now, too, they need to worry about bits of fecal matter sparkled in the sand.

A new study in Hawaii actually found that fecal contamination is more prevalent in sand than in water. Furthermore, modern pollution monitoring focuses on local water and the potential contaminants that may be floating within. As heavy rains, storms and later, flooding, taint bodies of water from sewage runoff, this increases disease-spreading fecal bacteria.

Previous studies have suggested that more fecal contaminants are found in the beach sand exposed to sewage than in waves that come up onto the shore, confirming similar results in this study.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Hawaii Department of Health.

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