DNA Tests Offer Quicker Results for Beach Bacteria

Just in time for swimsuit season, federal researchers are touting a faster, more accurate water-quality test to keep beaches open and people healthy. But its expensive

By Brian Bienkowski and Environmental Health News

Just in time for swimsuit season, federal researchers are touting a faster, more accurate water-quality test to keep beaches open and people healthy. Image: Flickr/David Dufresne

Just in time for swimsuit season, federal researchers are touting a faster, more accurate water-quality test to keep beaches open and people healthy.

But its expensive, and most of the nations cash-strapped cities and counties can afford it.

Local officials traditionally check for bacteria in ocean and lake water with tests that take about 24 hours to complete. Now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recommending testing at the molecular level tagging DNA and counting bacteria which provides results within hours.

Water quality can change significantly in 24 hours. This way were identifying threats to human health almost immediately,said Meredith Nevers, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey who is studying theEPAs new DNA test.

An estimated 3.5 million people get sick every year after a trip to the beach because of E. coli or other pathogens from sewage overflows, spills and polluted runoff, according to the EPA. Exposure can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin rashes and infections.

About 43 percent of beaches along the East and West coasts and the Great Lakes had at least one water-quality advisory in 2011, according to EPA data.

Counties and cities test beaches routinely often weekly but depending on the location and season. Beaches also are tested after spills to determine when they can be reopened.

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DNA Tests Offer Quicker Results for Beach Bacteria