Beach Sand May Harbor Disease-Causing E. coli Bacteria
In the report, published in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a biweekly journal, Michael J. Sadowsky and colleagues cite several previous studies showing that E. coli and bacteria indicating fecal contamination can accumulate and grow in beach sand. "These results indicate that E. coli originating from several sources may survive and potentially replicate in sand and sediment, possibly increasing fecal counts found on beaches," the report states. The researchers point out that while most E. coli strains are harmless, some strains do cause gastrointestinal diseases in human. Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, as well as more serious conditions.
The 2-year study tracked seasonal variations in E. coli in water, sand, and sediment at the Duluth Boat Club Beach in Duluth-Superior Harbor on Lake Superior. It concluded that beach sand and sediment serve as sinks and sources for E. coli from humans and waterfowl that can contribute to beach closures.
"Beach Sand and Sediments are Temporal Sinks and Sources of Escherichia coli in Lake Superior"
CONTACT:
Michael J. Sadowsky, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota 55108
----------------------------
Article adapted by Start Sanatate from original press release.
----------------------------
Green Goals for the Pharmaceutical Industry
The ACS Green Chemistry Institute Pharmaceutical Roundtable has developed a list of priority research areas where "green" alternatives to conventional reactions are needed to develop medications with minimal impact on the environment. Their review paper, describes and prioritizes research needs,. It can be a valuable resource for journalists writing about green chemistry. Although the paper focuses on pharmaceuticals, it includes reactions and processes used by the broader chemical enterprise.
http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/GC/article.asp?doi=b703488c
The 11th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference
This pioneering conference on one of the hottest topics in chemistry will be held June 26-29, 2007 at the Capital Hilton hotel in Washington, DC. http://www.gcande.org/
The American Chemical Society - the world's largest scientific society - is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Contact: Michael Woods
American Chemical Society
Plaja de nisip mai port-boalã care cauzeazã bacterii E. coli - Beach Sand May Harbor Disease-Causing E. coli Bacteria - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate