Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters. He is shucking oysters grown under his pier, and says he is constantly in the water with cuts, but has little fear of contracting an infection. as anywhere in the gulf you need to watch out for sting rays and jellyfish and dont swim at dawn or dusk because sharks occasionally feed nearshore. "There are absolutely safe places to swim, which are the front Gulf beaches. Rotkin-Ellman said parents should be especially cautious about exposing children to oil-soiled beaches. The issue, DePaola said, is salt. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. If you start having the edema, or start seeing the red streaks on your skin, it is critical to get immediate medical attention. P.H., vice president for safety, health, environment & risk management, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, M.P.H., staff scientist, health and environment program, Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco, Give Your Family the Gift of Regular Exercise, Face Masks Won't Hamper Your Workout, Study Says, Tough Guy Mentality Has Athletes Deny Pain, Good Workout Boost Your Thinking for Up to 2 Hours. Safe Places to Swim If you need a place to swim, consider choosing a hotel with a pool (or perhaps choosing a beach destination instead of New Orleans). A common exposure pathway for fishermen involves the bait bucket. Recreational water activities Shellfish such as crabs and shrimp collected in the immediate area of affected beach area should not be eaten. Still, beachgoers can't tell on their own if the oil they encounter is fresh or has been floating around awhile, Emery said. Their skin can be more sensitive to the chemicals in oil. GBF’s Water Monitoring Team collects valuable water quality data including fecal bacteria concentrations at many nearshore sites around the Bay on a monthly basis. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lots of kids swim in the water. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. “No swim” signs have been placed outside of the effected areas. "If you are in the water and have a preexisting wound, or get one while you are swimming, you should be even more careful treating it with peroxide or whatever than you would on land. × I swim in the Gulf almost every day, year round. What they found was the optimum range was around 17 parts per thousand. Among the recent cases, one was contracted in Biloxi, Miss. I have gotten into the water several times, usually to get line out of a prop or just for a few minutes to cool down. Federal estimates place the total amount of oil spilled between 23.7 million and 51.5 million gallons, the worst oil spill in the nation's history. If you get caught in a rip tide, the trick to surviving is to not try to swim directly back to shore. While the levels do change frequently, you should check the latest water findings before risking a swim and picking up something nasty. I know many people that do swim 50 miles For me, and for many people, it is an acceptable risk.". "Now we have data not only from BP but OSHA that shows these worker exposures are minimal if not non-existent. home/health & living center/ exercise & fitness a-z list/ is it safe to go in the gulf coast's water? People have been known to use gasoline to remove tar from their skin -- a bad idea all around, Emery said. "Children's bodies are more vulnerable and susceptible to environmental contaminants," she said. Vibrio vulnificus, DePaola said, is one of the most common bacteria in our coastal waters, capable of reproducing rapidly. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. While the danger to humans may be not nearly as bad as pictures of oil-soaked pelicans would suggest, experts are divided on just how concerned people should be. The water moves so fast that not even the most experienced swimmers would be able to make it across to the other side. Again, a place with lower salinity levels than most Gulf beaches. If you do encounter tar balls or oil slicks, don't touch them. Rotkin-Ellman disagreed, noting that much also remains unknown about the health effects of the massive amounts of chemical dispersants used to fight the spill that break an oil slick into small drops. A fin poke, or getting stuck with the horn on a shrimp, can lead to an infection. “The average temperature in the Gulf in Alabama is between 82 and 86 degrees during summer months. (Ben Raines/braines@al.com). The warmer water is a better Testing we’ve done with the London Water Keeper, a charity that campaigns for a “Thames fit to swim in”, has shown that in certain conditions (primarily a spell without excessive rain "There are absolutely safe places to swim, which are the front Gulf beaches. "There are definitely human health concerns related to the Gulf Oil spill, both in terms of workers, the community and long-term health concerns as contaminants persist in the environment," she said. You must remember this is the guy who just told us, after Fukushima meltdown, do not prepare for radioactive fallout, just listen to your government . While dangerous if ingested or inhaled, these chemicals tend to dissipate and evaporate over time, experts said. Andy DePaola, a leading expert in the flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, gestures toward brackish inshore waters where the bacteria thrives. Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) often gets asked if the water is safe to swim in, and fortunately, we have the answer! DePaola, who lives on Mobile Bay, said almost all cases of infection by the bacteria occur in brackish water, rather than the full saltwater of the Gulf of Mexico. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe. Vibrio vulnificus, which can also cause fatal bacterial infections in people with impaired livers or immune systems who consume raw oysters, is always present in our inshore coastal waters. On one point experts agree: Beachgoers need to exercise common sense. Those reports should be taken seriously, Rotkin-Ellman said, who noted that crude oil contains toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. article. Read tips on staying safe in the water while swimming or enjoying water sports during your Caribbean vacation. The map compares the sampling data and six-week geometric mean to the statewide bacteria water quality objectives for E. coli and enterococci. yes it is safe to swim. The chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose and throat even at low concentrations. Terms of Use. "The World Health Organization did a study looking at Vibrio in oysters. "The people you'd expect to be most intimately exposed to the chemicals contained in crude oil are those working on the water near the source of the leak," Emery said. yes, the water is usually calm, small waves, and the slope is very gentle and shallow. Data from the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) show that clean-up and repair workers in the Gulf of Mexico near the spill have not been exposed to harmful levels of toxins, said Robert Emery, vice president for safety, health, environment and risk management at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. "Their bodies don't process contaminants in the same way. All rights reserved. The Texas coast has something for everyone. The beaches are great but the water leaves a lot to be desired. Clean-up workers and even some coastal residents, she said, are complaining of symptoms consistent with exposure to the volatile compounds found in oil, including dizziness, nausea, headaches and cough. Andy DePaola was the lead seafood microbiologist and subject matter expert for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until he retired last fall. Certainly I would recommend keeping children away from any oily substance or oily water.". The federal government only tracks exposure from eating oysters. "It's really a Memorial Day to Labor Day issue. "If you are in Mobile Bay or any of our inside waters, pretty much everywhere you go is higher risk, even up to where you use a freshwater fishing license, above the bridges on Fish River or Dog River. If soap and water don't work, try petroleum jelly or a commercially sold de-greaser that's made to be used on the skin. Located at the end of Alabama State Highway 59, … The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. Beach & Water Safety Swimming There are many miles of shoreline within the national seashore. WEDNESDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- Now that oil and tar balls from the massive Gulf oil spill have begun washing up on the beaches of four states, many are wondering: What, if any, are the health risks to beachgoers and residents of the region? Obama says it is safe to swim in the Gulf and eat Gulf seafood, but don't believe him. Yes, if you're used to chilly water. The idyllic image of a Caribbean beach involves placid, clear waters gently lapping against a palm-lined shore, but while you can find plenty of calm beaches in the Caribbean, playing in the water always carries a risk of drowning. Research shows that the toxic potency of crude oil declines the longer the oil is floating in the water or in the air, a process called "weathering," Emery said. May 27, 2015 by woundcaresociety Leave a Comment You may have heard that salt water can be used as a natural wound healing treatment. In the UK, it is estimated that there are between 150,000 and 500,000 houses with drain misconnections. Because small fish, such as croakers, and crustaceans such as shrimp, often have high levels of vibrio in their guts, the water in a bait bucket can develop high levels quickly. Gulf Shores has taken safety conditions in the water to a whole other level. Hello, I have been fishing in the Northern Gulf of Mexico for over 20 years. There is no database looking at infections contracted by people who were swimming with an open wound or cut while fishing or cleaning seafood. Interactive Maps Safe to Swim Map (Beta) The Safe to Swim map displays bacterial sampling data for coastal and inland monitoring locations over time. It’s not always safe to swim at Galveston beaches, research says CW39 by: J. Longa Posted: Aug 30, 2018 / 06:22 PM CDT / Updated: Aug 30, 2018 / … "But these infections, even in the inshore waters are fairly rare. This confirms data from BP, the owner of the crippled oil rig that has spewed countless barrels of crude oil into the Gulf since an April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers about 40 miles off the Louisiana coast, Emery said. However, it is best to check first, as the , 1. You can become infected even if you are healthy," DePaola said. "If a piece breaks off in your skin, that's a place a micro-colony can grow," DePaola said. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Those compounds include benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene and naphthalene, all known carcinogens, she said. Six Galveston Bay beaches have been listed as some of the most unsafe places to swim in Texas, according to a new report from Environment Texas. State health departments, health experts say avoid oily water. Vibrio bacteria perish in the salty waters of the open ocean. It is usually safe to swim in the Gulf or Bay off of Anna Maria Island, most of us locals do without much hesitation with two exceptions - We ALWAYS steer clear of swimming at Bean Point, located at the very north end of the Locally, water levels were 2-3 feet higher due to Barry and that excess water is still flowing back out into the Gulf. You can go from feeling ok to being very sick very quickly, in hours. Most Gulf beaches are located along a string of sandy barrier islands created by wave-washed quartz sand. By and large, most tourist-friendly areas will have safe swimming areas. Little is known about how common vibrio infections related to swimming and fishing are. The flesh-eating bacteria lighting up news reports all along the Gulf Coast has been around forever and is almost entirely avoidable if you know where to swim, said the nation's leading expert on the deadly bacteria. If you do smell fumes from an oil spill, people with respiratory ailments and asthma should stay indoors with the air-conditioner set on "re-circulate," Rotkin-Ellman said. If the water is warm enough to be comfortable to swim in, you start having the risk. For most healthy people, there is very little risk. "If you love to swim, fish, shrimp, crab, it is a risk most people are willing to take. Anywhere in the Mississippi Sound is another area of higher risk.". Want More News? The people are great, the food is tasty, and the waters in the Persian Gulf are warm and most of the countries have wonderful In the summer, the bacteria blooms dramatically when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees. The Texas coast has plentiful natural resources with over 367 miles of gulf shoreline and 3,300 miles of bay shoreline. That would involve swimming in the low salinity waters of the Mississippi Sound. "In most of the world, Australia, Asia, on the Pacific Coast, it's just too salty or too cold. That means avoiding swimming in water that's visibly contaminated by oil. City of Gulf Shores Public Beach offers multiple access points for the public to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico’s sandy beaches and water. "If we did have the data, we would see that where you were swimming, and at what time of year, could make all the difference," DePaola said. A meter at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab shows salinity in the lower bay has varied from about 15 parts per thousand to about 25 this week, all within the preferred range for Vibrio. That's good news and it's safe to assume the risks would be even less for the general public on the beaches.". The group analyzed state water … Swim In Safe Areas, Avoid Currents When Swimming in an open body of water, such as the Gulf, you need more energy to handle the currents and other changing conditions in the open water. But here along the Gulf, where you have estuaries with marshes and shrimp and crabs, that's where you have the risk," DePaola said. Most Gulf beaches are located along a string of sandy barrier islands created by wave-washed quartz sand. The water in the open Gulf of Mexico is usually around 35 or 36 parts per thousand. Not all experts agree that the spill poses a danger to the public at Gulf Coast beaches. Grapefruit, hot peppers, vinegar, and more appear on WebMD's list of fat-fighting foods -- along with surprising facts about how they may work. If you find yourself caught in a current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. "Those levels are applicable for exposure while swimming as well.". Take the ship island ferry or head to gulf … Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and often calm. People have been known to use gasoline to remove tar from their skin -- a bad idea all around, Emery said. It is ever present, and was long before the BP oil spill, despite a common sentiment blaming the presence of the bacteria on the spill. Oil tar is sticky and difficult to remove. Once it gets in your bloodstream, the bacteria multiples exponentially in a few hours. How long do “no-swim Our coastal communities interest travelers for swimming and sunning, fishing, beachcombing, birding or simply sight-seeing. However, it is safe to fish and eat fin-fish from these waters. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). Regarding water quality, it’s not all bad news. Next, on to misconnections. Before heading to the beach, Emery said it's a good idea to check with local or state authorities about health conditions. "Also handling seafood. If workers near the source of the spill don't seem to be in harm's way, then it's safe to presume that the oil reaching the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida isn't much of a risk to beachgoers and residents, Emery said. Once you got about 33 parts per thousand, there was no risk," DePaola said. It's probably 99% safe but let's face it, the water looks terrible. I’ve lived in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and also visited Oman, Bahrain and the UAE and I really love the region. The inshore waters, however, such as Mobile Bay, which have a lot of freshwater flowing in from rivers can vary from high levels of salt in the early fall to being almost purely fresh in the late winter and early spring when floodwaters are high. Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," andLegal. There are beaches scattered along both coasts of the country, which either may or may not be safe to swim in. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Though the oil washing up on the beaches probably isn't as harsh, it's still a good idea to keep it off your skin, Emery said. houses with drain misconnections. Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and often calm. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. Comfortable to swim a Memorial day to Labor day issue along a string of sandy barrier created... Means, report the odor to health authorities Gulf almost every day with. 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