logo
Warning not to swim in two Fife beaches due to pollution

Warning not to swim in two Fife beaches due to pollution

Yahoo17-07-2025
PEOPLE have been warned against taking a dip in two beaches in Fife due to pollution.
Kinghorn Harbour and Burntisland have been closed until further notice after high levels of bacteria were found in the water.
It comes just days after Scotland experienced a heatwave which saw hundreds of people heading to the beaches.
On Thursday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it had found high levels of "faecal indicator organisms" during tests in the waters, STV News reports.
READ MORE: LIVE: ScotRail trains face disruption for rest of day as wires damaged
Sepa regularly carries out tests in Scotland's waters for E. coli and instestinal enterococci, known as "faecal indicator organisms".
If these bacteria are detected, further tests are conducted to find the cause of the pollution.
Meanwhile, the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has put up signs at key access points and has warned people that exposure to the harmful bacteria could cause illness.
Members of the public have been told to avoid entering the sea or streams running into both beaches.
The trust also urged people to keep pets away from the water and to wash hands and footwear after visiting the area.
The guidance also states that people should not take anything home from the beaches or consume shellfish collected from the area, and to wash hands before eating and drinking.
A Sepa spokesperson said: 'Sepa are aware of high bacterial results at Kinghorn and Burntisland bathing waters.
READ MORE: Scotland to Europe ferry continues to face delays as progress stalls
'Our officers are currently investigating the cause of this high result and, if required, we will explore any mitigation measures. Further water samples will be taken from the bathing water to determine if there is any ongoing impact.
'Sepa's electronic sign at Kinghorn has been changed to advise against bathing and paddling. Fife Coast and Countryside Trust will be placing signs at both bathing waters to notify users of the high results and to avoid bathing and paddling.
'Advice against bathing will remain in place until Sepa are satisfied that water quality is no longer impacted.'
Fife Council told STV News it is working with the Coast and Countryside Trust to share information on the issue.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Swimming warning over sewage leak at Aberdeen beach
Swimming warning over sewage leak at Aberdeen beach

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Swimming warning over sewage leak at Aberdeen beach

People are being advised to avoid swimming and paddling at Aberdeen beach after sewage was discharged into the sea. The spill happened during a power outage at Nigg Waste Water Treatment Works, which also caused a power cut in the area on Friday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said power had been restored but confirmed sewage was discharged into the sea close to Aberdeen harbour. A spokesperson said its "temporary guidance" was to avoid bathing in the area until it was satisfied that the situation had returned to normal. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from North East Scotland on BBC Sounds

Germ that causes watery diarrhea can survive chlorine-treated water for 10 days — here's what else is lurking in the pool
Germ that causes watery diarrhea can survive chlorine-treated water for 10 days — here's what else is lurking in the pool

New York Post

time2 days ago

  • New York Post

Germ that causes watery diarrhea can survive chlorine-treated water for 10 days — here's what else is lurking in the pool

Diving into a public pool this summer? You might be plunging into a petri dish. While chlorine is the go-to germ killer, it doesn't work instantly. Some nasty germs can survive in treated water for minutes or even days, turning a refreshing swim into a risky dip. And the threat is growing. Outbreaks of waterborne illnesses tied to pools and other recreational venues are on the rise — especially those caused by a resilient parasite that's waiting to crash your summer plans with a case of watery diarrhea. 6 Waterborne illnesses are most prevalent during the summer months. Tropical studio – Not-so-crystal-clear That sparkling blue water isn't always as clean as it looks. Every time someone jumps in, they bring more than just sunscreen and swimsuits, leaving behind germs, grime and bodily fluids that can make others sick. According to the CDC, the average swimmer introduces: 8 million microbes in a single drop of spit 140 billion microbes from feces Up to two cans' worth of sweat A full cup of urine All of those substances mix with chlorine to form chloramines, a chemical byproduct that can irritate your eyes and lungs and give off that strong 'pool smell' most people wrongly associate with cleanliness. 6 Experts say a strong smell of chlorine indicates a high level of urine in pool water. Angkana – '​​It is a common myth that a strong chlorine smell is a good sign of a clean pool,' Lisa Cuchara, an immunologist and infectious disease specialist, wrote in The Conversation. 'In fact, it may actually be a red flag that means the opposite — that the water is contaminated and should perhaps be avoided,' she continued. What's really lurking in the water Most pool-related illnesses happen when swimmers swallow contaminated water or come into contact with it through their skin. If its levels are properly maintained, chlorine can kill many germs, like E. coli, in under a minute. Some germs, however, are far more stubborn. 6 Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant for swimming pools. Evgeniya Sheydt – Take hepatitis A. It can survive in a chlorinated pool for about 16 minutes. The virus usually gets in the water through fecal contamination, like if if someone uses the bathroom and doesn't wash their hands before hopping back in. Once infected, the virus can inflame the liver and disrupt its ability to function properly. Then there's giardia, a parasite that often enters pools when people have accidents in the water or don't rinse off properly. It can take 45 minutes or longer to kill with chlorine, and just a small sip of contaminated water can trigger diarrhea, stomach pain, gas and nausea. Perhaps the worst offender is cryptosporidium, a microscopic germ with a tough outer shell that enables it survive in chlorine-treated water for up to 10 days. 6 Waterborne illnesses can leave swimmers with gut-churning symptoms, including diarrea. Satjawat – Like giardia, cryptosporidium commonly spreads when someone with diarrhea contaminates the water and another swimmer swallows it. Between 2009 and 2017, crypto caused nearly 450 outbreaks across 40 states and Puerto Rico, sickening more than 7,400 people, according to the CDC. Outbreaks jumped 13% each year, with most traced back to people swallowing water from treated pools. 'Swallowing just a mouthful of water with crypto in it can make otherwise healthy kids and adults sick for weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting,' Michele Hlavsa, chief of CDC's Healthy Swimming Program, said in a statement. Other troublemakers — including Shigella, norovirus and adenovirus — can also lurk in chlorinated water and wreck your gut. Bacteria like Legionella and Pseudomonas pose additional risks. Legionella can cause a serious form of pneumonia, while Pseudomonas is known for triggering skin rashes and ear infections. 6 Swimmer's ear is a bacterial infection caused by water that stays in the outer ear canal for a long period of time. Satjawat – Even fungi get in on the act. Pool decks, ladders, and locker rooms are breeding grounds for fungal spores. Once established, they're hard to eliminate and often resistant to regular cleaning. That's how infections like athlete's foot — and other skin irritations — spread so easily in damp, high-traffic areas like your local community pool. But don't toss your trunks just yet There are simple steps you can take to reduce the spread of viruses, bacteria and other germs in swimming pools. The CDC recommends staying out of the water if you have diarrhea and waiting at least two weeks after symptoms clear up to take a dip. 6 Parents play a major role in preventing waterborne illnesses. yanlev – Before you dive in, shower for at least a minute to rinse off dirt, sweat and any lingering germs. For parents, take kids on regular bathroom breaks and check diapers every hour — and never change them poolside. While in the pool, try not to swallow water. When you're out, dry your ears well with a towel to help prevent swimmer's ear. And, of course, don't pee or poop in the pool. Sounds obvious? Not for everyone. Last year alone, New York City's parks department had to shut down pools 203 times to clean up after someone defecated, according to data obtained by The Gothamist. That's 44 out of 52 public pools closed at least once for a 'code brown.' On one day in August, 12 pools were shuttered because of poop in the water. Pee's no better. In a national survey released last month, more than half of participants admitted to urinating in the pool as an adult.

Your risk of a heart attack or stroke climbs in the week after this common infection
Your risk of a heart attack or stroke climbs in the week after this common infection

New York Post

time4 days ago

  • New York Post

Your risk of a heart attack or stroke climbs in the week after this common infection

Urine for a rough ride with this infection. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cigarette use, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity are among the risk factors for heart attack and stroke. A family history of these episodes, age and sex play a role, too. 3 Several factors increase your risk of heart attack and stroke — a urinary tract infection might be one of them. Getty Images A new study adds to growing evidence that urinary tract infections can also raise the odds of a heart attack or stroke, with the highest risk observed within the first week of the UTI. UTIs are incredibly common in women. About 60% of women will experience at least one, while only 12% of men will have one. A reason for this difference is that the female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than the male urethra. UTIs frequently occur when bacteria from the skin or rectum — particularly E. coli — enter the urinary tract through the urethra and travel to the bladder. Common symptoms include a frequent and urgent need to pee, a burning sensation during urination, cloudy or strong-smelling urine and pain or pressure in the lower belly or back. 3 Women are much more likely to experience a UTI than men, largely due to anatomical differences. Chinnapong – UTIs typically take three to seven days to clear with antibiotics, but severe infections that spread beyond the bladder can take longer to resolve. One major problem with UTIs is that they tend to recur, especially in sexually active women and those who use a diaphragm for contraception. These infections can pave the way for a heart attack or stroke because they can trigger or worsen inflammation, which is the body's natural defense mechanism to combat infections and injuries. Inflammation can destabilize plaques in arteries, increasing the chance they'll rupture and dangerous blood clots will form. For the new study, Cardiff University researchers tracked 2,300 Welsh residents 30 and older who experienced their first heart attack and 2,800 residents who suffered a stroke between 2010 and 2020. Everyone had reported having a UTI before these incidents. The researchers determined that UTIs raised the risk for heart attack and stroke in the first week, then again from 15 to 28 days and 29 to 90 days after the infection. 3 Remember to fully empty your bladder and practice good bathroom hygiene to lower your risk of UTIs. phoenix021 – E. coli infections were linked to a lower risk of heart attack but a higher stroke risk compared to other bacteria. The researchers acknowledged that a limitation of their study is that the risks were calculated from the date of UTI diagnosis and not the precise start of the infection. The findings were published last month in BMJ Open. How to prevent UTIs

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store