85 



6 



other pathogens in recreational waters is enough to raise 

 significant public concerns -- as it should. 



Studies have shown that swirrcning in contaminated marine 

 waters poses a significant risk for contracting some infectious 

 diseases.^ According to the Centers for Disease Control, 

 untreated human waste is the major cause of outbreaks of cholera 

 and gastroenteritis, viral hepatitis, and amoebic dysentery 

 because they can all be transmitted in water by bacteria, viruses 

 and protozoans, respectively." 



In addition to the risks posed by direct contact with sewage- 

 related pathogens, our health is endangered by eating nearshore 

 contaminated seafood. The risk of human exposure to pathogens 

 through consumption of tainted seafood is increasing.^ As of 

 January 1990, of the 17.2 million acres of estuarine waters in 

 the United States used for harvesting shellfish fully 37% were 

 either closed or restricted due to contaminants.' In 

 Massachusetts 55%, in Texas 44%, and in California 98% of the 

 shellfish waters are closed or restricted due to water quality 

 degradation caused by inadequate septic systems, sewage 

 discharges, and urban and agricultural runoff. -° 

 Sources of Floatable Debris 



Initially, illegal disposal activities were thought to be the 

 cause of the medical waste incidents. Subsequent inventories of 

 debris items, however, and reports from states where these 

 incidents occurred, led the EPA to conclude that the probable 

 routes by which medical waste was reaching marine and coastal 



