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E. Coli and Public Health. Monitoring the Quality of Recreational Waters
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| Abstract: | The responsibility for protecting the health of swimmers who may be exposed to microbial hazards at our nations beaches falls on state, municipal or community authorities. They accomplish this by measuring a microorganism called E. coli in beach water samples. We call these microorganisms indicator bacteria because they indicate to us something about the quality of the water. If there are too many of the E. coli in the water sample, the beach water is determined to be unsuitable for swimming. Although we see the names E. coli and indicator bacteria in the newspapers and on television and we know that it is not good to find this microorganism in food or water, there are many misconceptions about why this bacterium is measured and what it means to find it in water. |
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| Citation: | Dufour, A. P. E. Coli and Public Health. Monitoring the Quality of Recreational Waters. LAKELINE 23(2):13-15, (2003). |
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| Contact: |
Mary P. O'Bryant - (919)-541-4871 or obriant.mary@epa.gov
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| Division: |
Microbiological & Chemical Exposure Assessment Division |
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| Branch: |
Immediate Office |
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| Product Type: |
Journal |
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| Published: |
06/01/2003 |
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