Hadi Niknejad, Nima Kalvani, Mehdi Seyedirad, Alireza Ala, Reza Saeedi, Mehrnoosh Abtahi, Fathollah Gholami-Borujeni,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background and Objective: There have been concerns about microbial contamination along the coastal cities in the north of the country, particularly in cities of Mazandaran province, which could pose health risks for swimmers and tourists. The present study aimed to quantitatively assess the risk of gastrointestinal diseases resulting from exposure to E. coli and enterococci bacteria during recreational activities on the beaches of Fereydunkanar.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 66 grab samples collected during the summer were analyzed to investigate microbial contamination in the recreational beach waters of Fereydunkanar.The Monte Carlo simulation method was used to calculate both daily and annual infection risks.
Results: The findings demonstrated that transmission of enterococci was more likely than that of E. coli in the swimming areas of these beaches. The average annual infection risk for E. coli was 0.41 for adults and 0.69 for children . Additionally, the annual risk of enterococci infection was 1 for adults and 0.99 children and, which exceeds the range advised by the WHO and EPA. These findings indicate that children have a higher infection risk compared to adults.
Conclusion: Unrestricted discharge of municipal and industrial wastewater effluents into sea and rivers can contribute to the presence of harmful microbes in beaches. By implementing effective environmental and recreational management strategies, it is possible to minimize the risk of public health hazards at recreational beaches while also preserving the natural beauty of these important public spaces.
