We’ve all been there: You’re innocently wading in the ocean when, all of a sudden, a wave rolls in and smacks you in the face. You swallow a bit of ocean water—and if you’re like me, you think nothing of it. That’s just part of the beachgoing experience: You get sunscreen in your eyes, sand collects in places you’d rather it didn’t, and you accidentally sip on salt water from time to time.
But one of these things is not like the others. According to a new report from Environment America, a nonprofit that conducts environmental research, it’s probably a good idea to pay closer attention to the quality of the seawater you swim in—and, whenever possible, avoid gulping it down. Many beaches contain pretty high levels of bacteria and other pathogens that can make you sick. Of the 3,192 beaches scientists tested in 2022, 1,761 (or 55%) had potentially unsafe levels of fecal contamination on at least one of the days the water was tested, based on criteria from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One in nine beaches met or exceeded that level on at least 25% of the days tested.
When it storms, rainwater pulls all sorts of muck, like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus, off the land and into the sea. Manure from farmland and sewage overflow seeps into oceans, filling our waters with bits of feces, Onema Adojoh, PhD, a visiting assistant professor in the department of earth, environment, and planetary sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, tells SELF. And coastal animals—seabirds like gulls, of course—deposit bacteria-packed droppings of their own in the water.
If you take a dip and are exposed to pathogens by ingesting them, inhaling them, or having direct contact through your eyes or an open wound, there’s a chance you could get sick with gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines that’s usually caused by bacteria or a virus), or a respiratory infection, or wind up with skin, ear, or eye irritation or infections. Any of those things can happen in a flash, even if you’re just cooling off for a sec: “When something is toxic or harmful, regardless of the quantity, it’s still going to have almost the same effects” if you’re exposed to it at all, Dr. Adojoh says.
How can fecal matter in seawater get you sick?
It’s impossible to list out all the microscopic pathogenic threats in the sea because there are so many and they’re always in flux due to factors like the season and local weather conditions. Per the new findings, seafaring fecal matter contains all kinds of gross little microorganisms. E. coli and Enterococcus are the biggies behind most swimming-associated gastrointestinal problems, like diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and dehydration.
In 2022 alone, there were 8,788 beach advisories or closures in the US due to concerning levels of disease-causing pathogens. (These also include cyanobacteria from algal blooms, which can cause intestinal issues and neurological symptoms, and aquatic fungi like dermatophytes, which can cause nasty skin infections. Salmonella, which causes gastrointestinal infections, is also floating around out there, as are viruses like adenoviruses and norovirus and parasites like Giardia.) Waterborne illnesses are more common than you’d think: Every year, there are an estimated 29 million cases of illnesses people get after splashing around in oceans, lakes, ponds, and rivers.
Most of the health issues that are linked to swimming in the ocean, including poopborne ones, are relatively mild, but they can still make you feel horrible (and this is especially true for young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems who are more susceptible to infections, Dr. Adojoh says). In one 2018 study, nearly half of people who contracted a waterborne illness had to take medications and stay home from work, school, and other daily activities. Symptoms can become severe, especially if the illness goes untreated, Dr. Adojoh says. Some people may wind up in an urgent care or emergency room, and in rare cases, these illnesses can result in death.
How to stay safe while swimming in the sea
It really varies depending on where you are. Different beaches contain different pathogens, and, as we mentioned above, the amount of potentially harmful microbes surfing along the coast fluctuates from day to day. Environment America’s report found that 84% of Gulf Coast beaches and 70% of West Coast beaches had at least one unsafe beach day in 2022, compared to 48% of beaches on the East Coast. You can check out the water quality at select beaches using this resource from the EPA and find the latest beach warnings and closures on this interactive map.
There are a few clues that suggest your favorite surf spot may be secretly disgusting. For example, jetties tend to retain contamination, and beaches located near wastewater treatment facilities and agricultural operations are often littered with increased amounts of fecal matter and gross runoff. Water pollution also tends to be sky-high immediately after intense rainfall.
“When it rains, suddenly materials are being transported to the oceans,” Dr. Adojoh says. The County of Los Angeles, for example, issues advisories for three days following rainstorms, since bacteria levels spike in the ocean water. Dr. Adojoh says he’d steer clear of beaches for at least two days after a big storm.
When you do go to the beach, here are some general pointers:
- The most obvious tip: If you unexpectedly get seawater in your mouth, don’t just swallow it if you can help it.
- Swim during low tide. The ocean can quickly become deeper during high tide, so you may have better luck in not taking a wave to the face if you time your dip right, Dr. Adojoh says.
- Don’t go swimming if you have an open cut or other broken skin.
- Rinse off after swimming in the ocean, because bacteria can cling to your skin for hours, Dr. Adojoh says, and don’t forget to change out of your bathing suit as soon as you’re done. Give your suit and clothes a solid wash when you get home too.
Sharks aren’t necessarily the scariest creatures in the ocean: Just because you can’t see E. coli or Enterococcus drifting near you while you blithely float on your boogie board doesn’t mean these microscopic pests can’t cause you trouble. Keep your guard up and your mouth closed while you’re swanning through the waves—and when you’re back on land, rinse off with water that isn’t filled with poop.
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