Burrowing in sand is a common activity among beach-going kids. This activity is encouraged by parents as well, as the kids are safe and within sight. However, a recent study has found that the kids who bury themselves in beach sand are at higher risk of contracting infections. The study results were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. It says that kids aged 11 years or less are highly susceptible to diarrhea, while digging in sand. They have 44% more chance of getting the disease. The kids who are buried in sand are found to have 27% increased risk. For the regular beachgoers, this comes as a shocking revelation. Most of the parents have fond memories of playing in beach sand, which used to be safe in those times. With this report, parents are hesitating to allow children play in sand. Going to the beach and denying the pleasure of playing in the sand will be extremely torturous for kids. The study results are based on

interviewing more than 27,000 beachgoers. These people visited the seven beaches around the country during the period 2003-2007. They were asked about their beach activities and the level of contact they made with sand. After a span of 10-12 days, they were called up to check on their health problems during the intervening period. It was found that 6% of kids had diarrhea, which subsided on its own without doctor intervention. An examination of the top layer of the beach sand revealed high levels of E. coli and Enterococcus bacteria. This is true for beaches within close proximity of sewage treatment plants as well as far away from it. The most surprising fact is that the contamination level of sand is 40 times more than that of water at the same beach. In spite of the contamination, it is seen that infections can be prevented by exercising proper hygiene. For more information, please visit source article.

Read more:
Beware of Bugs in Beach Sand