Legum’s New Line

A new report by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation reveals that the Bay has become so polluted that swimming in it may be hazardous to your health. From the report:

The combination of warmer waters, nutrient pollution, and other factors in the Chesapeake Bay are contributing to the growth of bacteria called Vibrio that can cause life-threatening skin and blood infections and intestinal illnesses, according to Dr. Rita Colwell, former director of the National Science Foundation and current
Distinguished University Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and University of Maryland, College Park. Although infrequent, the number of annual Vibrio infection cases reported in both Virginia and Maryland has increased in recent years…

Nutrient pollution and warmer weather also stimulate the growth of harmful algal blooms. Blue green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can cause liver disease, skin rashes, nausea, and vomiting…

During the summer, polluted runoff, animal waste, and sewage often create high bacteria levels at swimming beaches. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Pennsylvania had 22 closures at 17 swimming areas last summer; Maryland had 44 no-swimming advisories or closures at 31 beaches during the same period; and Virginia had 10 advisories at 6 beaches. But even these numbers might not reflect the true prevalence of pathogens at beaches, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researcher.

CBF President William C. Baker stressed that the report does not mean that “one should never swim in local rivers or the Bay.”

Nevertheless, the report underscores that if we allow the Bay’s health to continue to deteriorate, a major source of economic activity for the state is likely to suffer. Conversely, if we take the steps necessary to restore the Bay to health, there will be significant long term economic benefit to Maryland in terms of tourism, recreation and related industries.

1 Comment »