Is your beach a health hazard?
Ah, a day at the beach. Sunscreen? Check. Bikini? Yep (you worked out hard this summer.) Towels and umbrella? Of course. You're ready to roll. Hold up. How safe are your beaches? Are you aware that there is an alarming increase in pollutants in the waters where you swim? While you're busy protecting yourself with sunscreen and shade, your beaches may be infecting you with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Contaminated beach water can cause a wide range of diseases, including ear, nose and eye infections; gastroenteritis; hepatitis; encephalitis; skin rashes; and respiratory illnesses . Most at risk are small children, pregnant women, cancer patients and others whose immune systems are weak or compromised. So before you head out for a fun day at the beach, check to see if yours has made the grade. MSNBC gives us the best and the worst beaches here in the U.S.
The Best
- North Carolina: Kure Beach and Kill Devil Hills Beach
- Wisconsin: Sister Bay Beach and North Beach
- California: Laguna Beach
- Michigan: Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park beaches
- Maine: Libby Cove, Mother's, Middle, Cape Neddick, Short Sands and York Harbor beaches.
- California: Avalon Beach (north of Green Pleasure Pier) and Venice State Beach
- Maryland: Hacks Point and Bay Country Campground and Beach
- New Jersey: Beachwood Beach West
- Illinois: Jackson Park Beach
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