Pollution Report Warns of , Contaminated Water , at Alarming Number of US Beaches.
Fox News reports that an estimated , 400 million people , visit beaches every year. .
According to new research, U.S. coastlines may
contain a number of unseen health hazards.
The 2022 Safe for Swimming report from Environment
America found that nearly half of U.S. beaches
contained unsafe levels of fecal contamination.
Of the 3,192 beaches that were tested,
55% were found to have unsafe levels of fecal
contamination on at least one day of testing.
Of the 3,192 beaches that were tested,
55% were found to have unsafe levels of fecal
contamination on at least one day of testing.
Another 363 beaches tested contained
unsafe levels of contamination on at least
25% of the days testing was conducted.
Fox News reports that researchers
used the Beach Action Value (BAV)
to determine safety levels.
The BAV is a tool the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses to determine bacteria levels, declare advisories and order beach closures.
Beaches are considered "unsafe" if numbers exceed
an estimated illness rate of 32 per 1,000 swimmers.
Fox News reports that contamination levels varied
across the country, with Gulf Coast beaches
having the highest contamination numbers. .
Fox News reports that contamination levels varied
across the country, with Gulf Coast beaches
having the highest contamination numbers. .
According to the report, beaches on the West Coast
were found to be the second-most polluted, with 70%
of them having potentially unsafe water. .
According to the report, beaches on the West Coast
were found to be the second-most polluted, with 70%
of them having potentially unsafe water.