Sand can have more bugs than sea water

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Hand washing is very important after a visit to the beach, you need to be careful of hidden germs, or you could be picking up more than a tan!

Dog in the sand

Those lucky enough to be spending time on a beach are often unaware of the extra care that should be taken, especially if you are taking children or planning to picnic. Sand in your packed lunch poses more problems than a mouthful of grit.

Analysis of samples from beaches around the world has shown that the sand can often contain more of the food poisoning bug E. coli than the surrounding sea water.

The amount of the bug found in sand varies from beach to beach. Authorities around the world often monitor the quality of sea water to ensure that holiday goers are directed to safe places to swim, but very few monitor the sand.

For instance the prestigious international Blue Flag award for clean and safe beaches includes a requirement to monitor levels of contaminants in the water, but NOT in the sand, however it is generally safe to assume that cleaner water will be an indicator of cleaner sand.

A recent study in the US showed that beachgoers digging in the sand were more likely to get food poisoning that those who did not. This was even more so for people who reported that they had been partially submerged in the san, and because children were more likely to put their hands in their mouth when playing in sand, they were the most at risk group.

“The excess illnesses we observed among those exposed to sand generally consisted of mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but it is a good idea to be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after digging or playing in the sand,” said Chris Heaney, lead author of the study.

Luckily in another study scientists discovered that submerging one's hands four times in clean water removed more than 99% of the E. coli and associated viruses from the hands.

So the advice is clear - wash your hands thoroughly after playing in the sand, and be careful if eating on the beach.

Heatwave advice

August 2009