330514-sand trouble.jpg
Researchers are looking at bacteria in the sand at some beaches. Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
If you get an upset tummy after a day at the beach, it might be because you left the potato salad sitting in the Sun a tad long, or because you polished off that whole pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Or maybe it was because you built a sand castle.A couple of studies in recent years have shown that you might scoop up more than just wet sand and annoyed crabs when you dig into a sandy beach – you might also get bacteria that can make you sick.
Researchers selected several beaches for study. One study looked at seven beaches across the country. The other picked two beaches that were close to discharge points for wastewater plants.
The researchers analyzed samples of sand and water. And they surveyed thousands of people as they were leaving the beaches. Among other things, they asked whether the beachgoers had gone swimming, dug in the sand, or handled food. And 10 to 12 days later, they telephoned to see if anyone had developed any stomach or intestinal problems.
The studies showed that people who’d been digging in wet sand were more likely to get sick. And those who’d been buried in the sand were even more likely to have problems. The vast majority of people who were rooting around in the sand had also gone swimming. So it’s possible that the combined exposure to sand and water increased the risk of encountering nasty bugs.
Regardless, the researchers noted that in most cases, those who got sick suffered only minor symptoms. So they said it’s fine to keep digging away – just wash up when you’re done.
