Related to the increasing numbers of people using recreational waters is a growing concern with potential risk of illness from exposure to waterborne pathogens. Microbial contamination can arise from urban runoff, agricultural runoff or sewage disposal into waterways. The James River is a popular urban swimming area in a city with a combined sewer and storm water system. Historical sampling data show exceedances of Virginia's fecal coliform standard at several locations, especially during the summer months. A prospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the relationship between recreational exposure to the James River and self-reported health effects. A total of 389 swimmers were enrolled at two locations on the river on each weekend in June 2000. Two sets of water samples were taken concurrently on each day of the intake interviews. Participants were interviewed by telephone five days post-enrollment for reporting of gastrointestinal illness, and eye, ear or respiratory infections. Water samples were analyzed for fecal coliforms, enterococci and Escherichia coli to assess water quality. Of the 389 swimmers enrolled, 10 persons were excluded, 105 were lost to follow and 274 participants completed all interviews. A crude relative risk of 1.33 (90% CI=0.90-1.97) was calculated for all illnesses among those who immersed themselves (exposed) compared with those who didn't immerse themselves (unexposed). Additional analyses to assess whether this pattern of increased risk of illness is associated with increasing levels of fecal coliforms, enterococci and E. coli are currently in progress.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify microbial indicators used to assess recreational water quality and will be able to describe their association with risk of illness.
Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.