Study finds beaches sicken 1.5M in Calif.

[donsu]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060719/ap_on_sc/beach_bacteria;_ylt=AqC7W8RyfVGnvuZrL_I_BmOs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MzV0MTdmBHNlYwM3NTM-


As many as 1.5 million people are sickened by bacterial pollution on Southern California beaches each year, resulting in millions of dollars in public health care costs, a new study has found.

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Healthcare costs for illnesses related to beach bacteria range from an estimated $21 million to $414 million annually, depending on the method of reporting used, researchers found. Those estimates include direct losses, including missed work, medical treatment costs and doctor visits.

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Cleaning up storm water runoff, the chief cause of dirty ocean water in Southern California, would prevent 394,000 to 804,000 gastrointestinal cases and save $13 million to $28 million in annual health costs in Los Angeles County.
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all beach water is polluted, along with Bays, rivers and lakes

skin rashes and skin ailments also are caused by dirty water

[sgxnk]

1. tijuana sloughs

probably the worst

i knew one guy who claimed to have surfed it

i wouldn't step foot there

no matter how good the waves

ever see the troma classic "toxic avenger?"

[jus_the_facts]

2. It's ALL because of discarded cigarette butts..and second hand smoke.....

:sarcasm: