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make it difficult to compare states based solely on the number of beach closings or 

 advisories. While states with a lot of closings clearly have coastal pollution problems, 

 those problems may be no worse than those of states which have no beach water 

 monitoring. UntU there are uniform standards, monitoring and closure practices, a 

 beachgoer cannot be sure s/he is being adequately protected when swimming at beaches 

 in different parts of the country. 



Swimmers at marine beaches can contract illnesses from several disease-causing 

 microorganisms (pathogens) that may be found in polluted waters. Gastroenteritis is the 

 most common swimming-associated illness and can have a variety of symptoms: vomiting, 

 diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, headache, and fever. Eye, ear and respiratory infections 

 are also associated with swimming in sewage-contaminated waters. While swimming in 

 sewage-polluted water does not usually result in severe or life-threatening illness, 

 swimming-associated illnesses can take a substantial toll in terms of the convenience, 

 comfort and well-being of the affected individuals, and also can result in economic losses 

 to society in terms of lost work/sick days. Moreover, some cases of gastroenteritis can be 

 serious-diarrheal disease can be of particular concern for infants, small children, and the 

 elderly. People should be able to go to the beach and enjoy swimming in our oceans and 

 bays without worrying about getting sick. 



NRDC's report found that there were over 160 million visitors to ocean and bay beaches 

 in 1992. These beachgoers deserve to swim in clean water and to know that they are 

 being protected by effective public health standards, monitoring and notification 



