BHE 314 Mod 4 SLP Environmental Health and Safety Essay

BHE 314 Mod 4 SLP Environmental Health and Safety - Essay Example In the result, bacteria, parasites, and different germs are mixed with beach water, which results in different illnesses. Individuals with diarrhea and vomiting problems are one of the major causes of water contamination. Secondly, it is noted that irregular bowel movements of children are also a major cause of contamination of beach waters. (WHO, 2003) Another main factor that contributes to beach water contamination is sewage water that mixes in the beach water and results in millions of bacteria in the water. Feces and urine are some of the components of human waste that consist in sewage water. Although the United States has effective sewage treatment plans; however, network of pipes often malfunctions and results in the leakage of such contaminated water in recreational waters and beaches. Studies have indicated that a waterborne protozoan, Cryptosporidium parvum emerges in after contaminated sewage-water mixes in beach waters. Even after much advancement in innovative scientific methods, it is very difficult to eliminate the emergence of abovementioned protozoan from water, which causes a number of waterborne diseases. In the year 2000, existence of abovementioned bacterium affected hundreds of U.S. residents that visited recreational water beaches. In the month of July 2001, the same bacterium affected more than fifty-two people that were exposed with the same protozoan at a recreational beach. (WHO, 2003) Every year, hundreds of complaints are registered regarding the waterborne illnesses that are caused after visiting recreational water facilities in different parts of the country, and therefore, it is important that effective steps should be taken to eliminate the factors that cause such contamination. Experts have indicated that humans are exposed with contaminated water in recreational beaches through different routes. During swimming, swimmers accidentally drink contaminated water that