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October 24, 2003 Technical contacts: Lynn Munroe, DHS (503) 731-3462 Ext. 738, Larry Caton, DEQ (503) 229-5983 Ext. 268 Public advised of potential health concern from beach water at one location Water quality test results from a Tillamook County beach yielded evidence of unhealthful levels of fecal contamination, public health officials in the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) said on Friday. "Under a federal program we monitor beach waters up and down the coast for public health-related bacteria and we have a confirmed a high reading at Twin Rocks," said Gail Shibley, administrator of environmental health systems in DHS. "We've contacted local officials to provide this information and, with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), we're continuing testing. We'll inform the community of readings as we obtain additional results." Initial samples at Twin Rocks Beach were taken on October 22. Additional sampling will be performed today. State officials are awaiting results from those samples. DHS established its beach-monitoring program after Congress passed the federal Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act. Under the federal program, DHS monitors 52 beaches for fecal contamination. When beach waters contain contamination above the federal public health threshold, DHS notifies the public about potential health concerns. Ingesting water containing high levels of fecal contamination can cause health problems, including gastrointestinal illness, skin irritation and respiratory problems. Children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Under the federal program the state samples for the bacteria Enterococci, which is an indicator bacteria for fecal contamination and has a quantifiable relationship with potential human health risks. "As always, people should enjoy our wonderful coast and its beaches," Shibley said. "At the same time, it's important people understand that the health of our environment has an impact on our health. These scientific findings are a reminder of that fact, and we advise people not to play or swim in the water at these locations until the contamination is below EPA limits." Additional information on the state's beach program, including data for all 52 sites monitored since May 2003, is available on the Web. |
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