Exposure to Human-Associated Chemical Markers of Fecal Contamination and Self-Reported Illness among Swimmers at Recreational Beaches.

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic chemicals have been proposed as potential markers of human fecal contamination in recreational water. However, to date, there are no published studies describing their relationships with illness risks. Using a cohort of swimmers at seven U.S. beaches, we examined potential associations between the presence of chemical markers of human fecal pollution and self-reported gastrointestinal (GI) illness, diarrhea, and respiratory illness. Swimmers were surveyed about their beach activities, water exposure, and baseline symptoms on the day of their beach visit, and about any illness experienced 10-12 days later. Risk differences were estimated using model-based standardization and adjusted for the swimmer's age, beach site, sand contact, rainfall, and water temperature. Sixty-two ch

SUBMITTER: Napier MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6192706 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature