BEWARE: Sand on beaches, not so clean afterall

Children playing with sand on the beach The holiday mood is everywhere, with many people trooping into relaxation spots like beaches and parks. Meanwhile, experts in their assessment of different beaches world wide warn that caution should be exhibited while coming in contact with the sand and water in many beaches because of their high level of pollution and the risk of contracting many diseases, reports Sade Oguntola.

With the joy of the season comes family and friends reunion. It is the common thing to expect that some would visit parks and places like the zoological garden to see different animals and appreciate nature. Some,however, prefer picnicking on the beach.

On the beach, it is always easily for people to relax on a beach mat, have some snacks, enjoy a game with play cards and, of course, children have the opportunity to run in the sandy beach and mould sand hill.

Even young lovers are not left out of the fun that is usually witnessed during yuletides, especially because the whole day is free to be spent not thinking of any job to be done in the office, lectures to attend or business trips to be made.

Certainly, it is fun being on the beach, especially on a holiday like Eidel -Kabir. However, there is need for caution. The sand at many beaches is mostly contaminated by disease-causing germs.

Even in developed nations of the world where people are more environment-conscious, people have been cautioned on the need to be careful while visiting some beaches because many were found to have potentially unhealthy levels of feacal material. The tell-tale bacteria often occur at higher levels in the sand than in the water. Studies found that the microbes survive in the sand longer than they do in water.

Scientists have only recently become aware of indicator bacteria in beaches through several studies. But the consequences for human health are not certain, as it is the case with contaminated water. With water, if fecal indicators exceed specific levels, then the risk of intestinal illness in swimmers increases.

Mr. Emmanuel Akintunde, State Chairman, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Oyo State, branch, stated that the sand on beaches is an interplay between other environmental factors such as the air, water and other organisms. According to him, any organism in the water or even in the air can contaminate the sand on the beach. “The organisms in the sea water can get it contaminated and the contaminant can spread through the sea water flowing over its bank to the beach area. Added to that is the unhygienic practices of some people that visit the beach. People pass stool on the soil and spread litters and this can lead to different disease-causing germs thriving in the soil.

“Many organisms are present in feaces and urine people just pass out indiscriminately on beaches. Whether it is those organisms that come from the intestines or the urinary tract, they all can infect the sand in beaches. This, in turn, can infect people that have contact with this sand.

Mr. Akintunde, making reference to such practices as children putting sand in their mouth in the course of playing or picking up their food that fell on the sand to eat, said this could lead to such problems as diarrhea, typhoid fever and cholera.

According to him, “When the sand is disturbed, say by the wind or while they are making sand hills, dust can be generated and inhaled, leading to upper respiratory or lower respiratory tract infections. ‘’

It is the practice of some people to spit out saliva or phlegm when they cough, chew something bitter or as a means to clear their throat. Such habits many also practice while out in the beach to relax. However, Mr. Akintunde said this helps spread germs that may be in such a person’s saliva or phlegm.

He pointed out that saliva and phlegm contain upper respiratory and lower tract organisms that are added to the sand. “When the sand is disturbed, the organisms released by these body products can go into the air and be inhaled, causing upper respiratory and lower respiratory diseases.”

“In some cases, the one that is most fatal is tuberculosis, which could also be spread through contact with infected saliva and sputum. On the beach, it is definitely not possible to differentiate people that have tuberculosis from those without the disease.

It is a common thing to see some people walking barefoot on the beach or when playing sand ball. Is this safe? According to the expert, the sand is the home for worms. Some worms can easily break the skin barrier to enter into the body. Wading into water infected with guinea worm leaves the individual exposed to the disease as well.

Beaches are certainly a good place to relax. However, Mr. Akintunde cautioned that people should regard beaches, like many other public places that people throng to, as areas where they can contact some infections. According to him, “people should make sure that their hands and bodies are washed after coming back from the beach. When at the beach, there is no harm in having a picnic. However, they should wash their hands before eating, and children should be taught to avoid picking food items that drop on the sand. As much as possible, it is important that they avoid generating airborne particles or dust, say, through throwing of sand at one another or moulding sand hills, to prevent picking up airborne infections.

Mr. Akintunde warned also of Buruli ulcer, a disease that can be contracted from some water bodies: “The parasite that carries the infection lives in water. Since you do not know which water contains them, you have to be careful. The bacteria that causes Buruli ulcer is the same that causes tuberculosis. The only difference is that its mode of transmission and manifestation is different. An insect carries the bacteria, attaches itself to the skin and deposits the organism in the body. The area that is bit becomes a sore that refuses to heal. Buruli ulcer is also treated with the same medicines used for tuberculosis treatment.

Also, swimming or coming in contact with contaminated water makes the individual prone to a wide range of illnesses, some producing mild symptoms (such as chills, fevers, and upset stomachs) and some being potentially lethal (including hepatitis and meningitis). Children and older persons may be more susceptible to these symptoms. In addition, water contact should be avoided by anyone with a cut or open sore.

Experts say sea water contaminates beach sand as it laps up on shores rich with sand, in addition to feacal contamination from animal and human food waste. When people eat at the beach and leave behind litter, or leave food unattended to, and seagulls or other birds eat the food, they tend to defecate right into the sand, and this contaminates the sand immediately.

Sometimes, the contamination is from harmful pathogens flushed into recreational waters from storm drains, sewers and other sources.