In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 18, No. 6 ( 2023-6-2), p. e0286584-
Abstract:
Swimming and other recreational water activities in surface waters are popular in Canada during the summer. However, these activities can also increase the risk of recreational water illness. While routine monitoring of beach water quality is conducted by local authorities each summer, little research is available in Canada about beach exposures and illness risks. Methods We conducted a pilot of a prospective cohort study at a popular beach in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2022 to determine characteristics of beachgoers, common water and sand exposures, the incidence of recreational water illness, and the feasibility for a larger, national cohort study. We enrolled beachgoers on-site and surveyed about their exposures at the beach and conducted a follow-up survey 7 days following their beach visit to ascertain acute gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin, ear, and eye illness outcomes. We descriptively tabulated and summarized the collected data. Results We enrolled 649 households, consisting of 831 beachgoers. Water contact activities were reported by 56% of beachgoers, with swimming being the most common activity (44% of participants). Similarly, 56% of beachgoers reported digging in the sand or burying themselves in the sand. Children (≤14 years) and teenagers (15–19 years) were most likely to report engaging in water contact activities and swallowing water, while children were most likely to report sand contact activities and getting sand in their mouth. Boys and men were more likely than women and girls to report swallowing water (15.2% vs. 9.4%). Water and sand exposures also differed by household education level and participant ethno-racial identity. E . coli levels in beach water were consistently low (median = 20 CFU/100 mL, range = 10–58). The incidence of illness outcomes was very low (0.3–2.8%) among the 287 participants that completed the follow-up survey. Conclusions The identified beach exposure patterns can inform future risk assessments and communication strategies. Excellent water quality was observed at the studied beach, likely contributing to the low incidence of illnesses. A larger, national cohort study is needed in Canada to examine risks of illness at beaches at higher risk of fecal contamination.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.t007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0286584.r006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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