67° A Few Clouds
Email
Permalink
Above: A sign warns beach-goers to stay out of the water because of contamination.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Audio
Report Shows Pollution Increased At Calif. Beaches In 2010
Aired 6/29/11
A report released Wednesday shows California had persistent problems with pollution at its beaches last year.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) annual report, "Testing the Waters," looks at U.S. beach water quality.
Have Something To Add?
California waters are not getting any cleaner.
"Unfortunately beach water quality got worse the last year compared with 2009," said Noah Garrison with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "And the number of closing and advisory days at our beaches nearly doubled."
He said what's in the polluted ocean stew are pathogens and other harmful bacteria.
"The implications of swimming in contaminated water are that people come down with skin rashes, pink eye, stomach ailments, gastroenteritis, ear, nose and throat problems and respiratory ailments," said Garrison. "There's a host of illnesses and diseases that are associated with swimming in contaminated water."
Garrison said several San Diego County beaches from the Mexican border to Camp Pendleton were closed because of pollution last year.
But he said 20 county beaches had no closings or pollution advisory days in 2010, including Pacific Beach and Carlsbad Municipal Beach.
Garrison said stopping the pollution at its source, which means storm water runoff in San Diego, can help reduce the toxic mix finding its way to the ocean.
California ranked 22nd out of 30 coastal states (including the Great Lakes Region) in the NRDC report.
Comments
PeterM | June 29, 2011 at 2:37 p.m. ― 1 year, 11 months ago
Why is everybody surprised that our beaches still are polluted?
Sure urban and farm runoffs contribute to pollution, but why doesn't anybody care that our rivers are still used as urinals?
When EPA implemented the Clean Water Act, it used an essential test incorrect and as one of its many negative consequences, ignored not only 60% of the pollution in sewage Congress intended to treat, but also all the pollution caused by nitrogenous (urine and protein) waste. This waste besides exerting an oxygen demand, just like fecal waste, is also a fertilizer for algae, thus contributes to eutrophication, causing dead zones and of course also food for bacteria. (www.petermaier.net)
The media, because this is a technical issue, will not investigate and as result nobody is holding the EPA accountable.
( comment permalink | suggest removal )
tsaisajoke | June 30, 2011 at 10:24 a.m. ― 1 year, 11 months ago
Its disturbing that over half of the pollutants for every year listed are "unknown" or "other". Seems like they need more categories or more descriptive classification. I agree with Peter, the technical aspect of this report goes beyond the capabilities of the media to inform the general public well enough to hold the EPA to task.
( comment permalink | suggest removal )
Log in to comment:
Forgot your password?