The key, DePaola said, is recognizing the signs of an infection and seeking medical treatment right away. 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. While the levels do change frequently, you should check the latest water findings before risking a swim and picking up something nasty. Most Gulf beaches are located along a string of sandy barrier islands created by wave-washed quartz sand. I swim in the Gulf almost every day, year round. The federal government only tracks exposure from eating oysters. But only in brackish water, where the salinity gets below about 30 parts per thousand," DePaola said. People have been known to use gasoline to remove tar from their skin -- a bad idea all around, Emery said. The issue, DePaola said, is salt. 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. 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. It's probably 99% safe but let's face it, the water looks terrible. Read tips on staying safe in the water while swimming or enjoying water sports during your Caribbean vacation. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Among the recent cases, one was contracted in Biloxi, Miss. "There are absolutely safe places to swim, which are the front Gulf beaches. Vibrio vulnificus, DePaola said, is one of the most common bacteria in our coastal waters, capable of reproducing rapidly. Up-to-date water quality results Sometimes there are issues with the water … 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). 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. That would involve swimming in the low salinity waters of the Mississippi Sound. Yes, if you're used to chilly water. 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. "It's really a Memorial Day to Labor Day issue. 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. The water moves so fast that not even the most experienced swimmers would be able to make it across to the other side. Progress on BP Spill Containment, But Is It Safe to Swim? Located at the end of Alabama State Highway 59, … The people are great, the food is tasty, and the waters in the Persian Gulf are warm and most of the countries have wonderful yes it is safe to swim. You can end up dead in a matter of days.". 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 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. When Combined Sewer Overflows discharge into rivers, everything that people flush down the toilet ends up polluting the waterway. 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 / … "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. However, it is best to check first, as the , 1. There are beaches scattered along both coasts of the country, which either may or may not be safe to swim in. Once it gets in your bloodstream, the bacteria multiples exponentially in a few hours. Is it safe to swim in the ocean with an open wound? Little is known about how common vibrio infections related to swimming and fishing are. While dangerous if ingested or inhaled, these chemicals tend to dissipate and evaporate over time, experts said. Those reports should be taken seriously, Rotkin-Ellman said, who noted that crude oil contains toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. Where to Go Instead: Get your southern beach fix in Alabama, where 32 miles of coast provide cleaner beach alternatives than some of Texas’ spots. "Also handling seafood. Only by the lighthouse is it not advised, there … Still, beachgoers can't tell on their own if the oil they encounter is fresh or has been floating around awhile, Emery said. A fin poke, or getting stuck with the horn on a shrimp, can lead to an infection. For most healthy people, there is very little risk. 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. Gulf Shores has taken safety conditions in the water to a whole other level. People have been known to use gasoline to remove tar from their skin -- a bad idea all around, Emery said. "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. 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. The water in the open Gulf of Mexico is usually around 35 or 36 parts per thousand. 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. By and large, most tourist-friendly areas will have safe swimming areas. If you do encounter tar balls or oil slicks, don't touch them. See additional information. In the UK, it is estimated that there are between 150,000 and 500,000 houses with drain misconnections. Certainly I would recommend keeping children away from any oily substance or oily water.". (Ben Raines/braines@al.com). Recreational water activities Shellfish such as crabs and shrimp collected in the immediate area of affected beach area should not be eaten. Lots of kids swim in the water. 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 . "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. Andy DePaola, a leading expert in the flesh-eating Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, gestures toward brackish inshore waters where the bacteria thrives. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). 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 chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose and throat even at low concentrations. Regarding water quality, it’s not all bad news. Miriam Rotkin-Ellman, a staff scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said beachgoers shouldn't be complacent. City of Gulf Shores Public Beach offers multiple access points for the public to enjoy the Gulf of Mexico’s sandy beaches and water. Salinity is measured in parts per thousand. 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. That's good news and it's safe to assume the risks would be even less for the general public on the beaches.". Want More News? You can go from feeling ok to being very sick very quickly, in hours. Likewise with another case contracted in Grand Isle, Louisiana, near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The Texas coast has something for everyone. Andy DePaola was the lead seafood microbiologist and subject matter expert for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until he retired last fall. "The World Health Organization did a study looking at Vibrio in oysters. "But these infections, even in the inshore waters are fairly rare. That's just critical.". Home to more than 8,426 miles of coastline, Florida's beaches are all typically safe for swimming year-round, notes the Florida Department of Health. Right now, Mobile Bay's salinity measures at about 15 parts per thousand at Middle Bay Light. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you get caught in a rip tide, the trick to surviving is to not try to swim directly back to shore. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. If the water is warm enough to be comfortable to swim in, you start having the risk. Next, on to misconnections. Their skin can be more sensitive to the chemicals in oil. Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. 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. Take the ship island ferry or head to gulf … Vibrio bacteria perish in the salty waters of the open ocean. Once you got about 33 parts per thousand, there was no risk," DePaola said. "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. The warmer water is a better Levels in the Gulf remain about 35 parts per thousand yearround. Oil tar is sticky and difficult to remove. Stay alert and check for other swimming hazards such as dangerous currents and tides. Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters. Before heading to the beach, Emery said it's a good idea to check with local or state authorities about health conditions. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. But you must understand that if you have the signs of an infection it is critical to seek treatment immediately. I live on Mobile Bay and I am in the water all the time, almost every day, with cuts all over me. Read more: Fat-Burning Foods in Pictures: Blueberries, Green Tea, and More, SOURCES: Robert Emery, Dr. If you find yourself caught in a current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. The group analyzed state water … Obama says it is safe to swim in the Gulf and eat Gulf seafood, but don't believe him. 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. 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). May 27, 2015 by woundcaresociety Leave a Comment You may have heard that salt water can be used as a natural wound healing treatment. ©1996-2020 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. State health departments, health experts say avoid oily water. 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. Not all experts agree that the spill poses a danger to the public at Gulf Coast beaches. Terms of Use. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. That means avoiding swimming in water that's visibly contaminated by oil. "Their bodies don't process contaminants in the same way. Those high salinity levels are relatively constant, both offshore and right up to the edge of the sand at the beach. 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. 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. And, by all means, report the odor to health authorities. Orange flags warning visitors to stay out of the water can be found in affected areas. The Texas coast has plentiful natural resources with over 367 miles of gulf shoreline and 3,300 miles of bay shoreline. 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. Interactive Maps Safe to Swim Map (Beta) The Safe to Swim map displays bacterial sampling data for coastal and inland monitoring locations over time. Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and often calm. home/health & living center/ exercise & fitness a-z list/ is it safe to go in the gulf coast's water? There is no database looking at infections contracted by people who were swimming with an open wound or cut while fishing or cleaning seafood. For me, and for many people, it is an acceptable risk.". I’ve lived in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and also visited Oman, Bahrain and the UAE and I really love the region. Swim Guide, "Swim Drink Fish icons," andLegal. What they found was the optimum range was around 17 parts per thousand. You can check salinity at various locations around Alabama's coast through the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's monitoring network. His specialty was Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria responsible for a string of high profile deaths and amputations this summer among beachgoers. How long do “no-swim "If a piece breaks off in your skin, that's a place a micro-colony can grow," DePaola said. "If you love to swim, fish, shrimp, crab, it is a risk most people are willing to take. Please report your pollution concerns so Affiliates can help keep other beach-goers safe. Those compounds include benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene and naphthalene, all known carcinogens, she said. Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) often gets asked if the water is safe to swim in, and fortunately, we have the answer! houses with drain misconnections. You can become infected even if you are healthy," DePaola said. Riptides can easily pull you out into the gulf. How to check when and where to swim To check if your beach is safe for swimming or to report an issue, visit the Safeswim website. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. That's where 90 percent of the people are," DePaola said, referring to the beaches east of Fort Morgan, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola and along the Panhandle of Florida. 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. If you start having the edema, or start seeing the red streaks on your skin, it is critical to get immediate medical attention. On one point experts agree: Beachgoers need to exercise common sense. “No swim” signs have been placed outside of the effected areas. Gulf waters are warm, shallow, and often calm. 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. DePaola said there is some belief that people who are regularly in contact with brackish water are less likely to develop an infection than someone who has never been to the beach. "In most of the world, Australia, Asia, on the Pacific Coast, it's just too salty or too cold. "The thing about contracting vibrio from a cut is you don't have to have an underlying chronic illness, like with exposure from oysters. 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 × "There are absolutely safe places to swim, which are the front Gulf beaches. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. The map compares the sampling data and six-week geometric mean to the statewide bacteria water quality objectives for E. coli and enterococci. Anywhere in the Mississippi Sound is another area of higher risk.". 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? Crude oil contains many toxic chemicals, including volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, Rotkin-Ellman said. Rotkin-Ellman said parents should be especially cautious about exposing children to oil-soiled beaches. 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. Continue boycotting BP, don't swim in the Gulf, don't buy Gulf seafood (take your vacations somewhere safer), and inundate (hourly, if need be) BP and the government … "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. In the summer, the bacteria blooms dramatically when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees. Most Gulf beaches are located along a string of sandy barrier islands created by wave-washed quartz sand. Again, a place with lower salinity levels than most Gulf beaches. “The Gulf and the bay are much warmer than some other areas of salt water,” Fanucchi said. 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 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. Beach & Water Safety Swimming There are many miles of shoreline within the national seashore. The beaches are great but the water leaves a lot to be desired. A common exposure pathway for fishermen involves the bait bucket. Fresh crude oil is a skin irritant that can cause redness, burning and even ulcers with prolonged contact. "Those levels are applicable for exposure while swimming as well.". Locally, water levels were 2-3 feet higher due to Barry and that excess water is still flowing back out into the Gulf. Low salinity, brackish water is almost always implicated in Vibrio cases. I know many people that do swim 50 miles 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. 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. If you are peeling crabs or shrimp, you should assume you are being exposed, that they came from somewhere with the bacteria.". But here along the Gulf, where you have estuaries with marshes and shrimp and crabs, that's where you have the risk," DePaola said. yes, the water is usually calm, small waves, and the slope is very gentle and shallow. However, it is safe to fish and eat fin-fish from these waters. Hello, I have been fishing in the Northern Gulf of Mexico for over 20 years. 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. All rights reserved. To help the general public make an informed decision about the quality of water that they are swimming in, the city has partnered up with The Alabama Department of Public Health and The Alabama Department of Environment Development to monitor bacteria levels in the water. "Now we have data not only from BP but OSHA that shows these worker exposures are minimal if not non-existent. “The average temperature in the Gulf in Alabama is between 82 and 86 degrees during summer months. 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. "Children's bodies are more vulnerable and susceptible to environmental contaminants," she said. article. Our coastal communities interest travelers for swimming and sunning, fishing, beachcombing, birding or simply sight-seeing. 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