Can Sand Make You Sick?

A day at the beach may not be as idyllic as it sounds. Newsday.com reports that a recent study indicates that people who dig in sand have a higher chance of getting a gastrointestinal infection. The study was apparently conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The reason for this increased risk is due to the presence of fecal matter in the sand.

According to the Newday report, the study consisted of interviews of over 27,000 people days after they visited one of seven different beach locations. Each of these beaches were chosen due to the fact that they were located within seven miles of a solid waste discharge. Approximately 13 percent of beachgoers who dug in the sand experienced diarrhea and other GI illnesses in the days following their beach visit. For those who were buried in the sand, the risk of illness went up to about 23 percent!

What to do??? For one, pack hand sanitizer in your beach bag and use it liberally. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before eating. And give yourself and your children a good soapy bath or shower following your fun in the sun.

Related Reading:

• How to Recover from a GI Infection

_Source:

_{Altherr, S. “Study: Digging in sand can increase health problems” Newsday.com 7/09/2009.}