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NBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
Dozens of beaches close before July Fourth weekend due to fecal bacteria
Just ahead of the Independence Day long weekend, beaches across the country have closed and issued advisories due to excessive levels of harmful bacteria. The culprit is fecal waste, a common summer problem in both freshwater and oceans that can cause gastrointestinal illness and skin infections. At least six states have issued closures or advisories for certain beaches and lakes that have tested positive for fecal bacteria above safe levels. In Massachusetts, almost two dozen beaches are closed due to excessive bacteria levels. Four beaches in New York are closed. Illinois has issued at least eight advisories in the past few weeks. Los Angeles County had released eight ocean water quality advisories as of Tuesday. Michigan has closed three beaches. The bacteria causing havoc for summer swimmers include and Enterococcus — nasty germs often found in the feces of people and animals. The contamination can occur because of sewage, manure or storm runoff. is more likely to be found in freshwater, whereas enterococcus can form in both marine and freshwater. Edward Dudley, director of the E. Coli Reference Center at Pennsylvania State University, said testing bodies of water used for swimming is routine and common, as are closures. Beach closures are more likely around the summer months, when ocean surface temperatures are high and bacteria can grow more easily, said Antarpreet Jutla, associate professor of environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida. However, a variety of factors — including human activity, temperature and water movement — can affect bacterial growth, he said. Jutla also said that beach closures due to fecal bacteria are very common. In North Carolina, officials warned about cyanobacteria algae blooms in Lake Norman, urging people to keep children and pets away from water that appears bright green, blue or scummy. Different from fecal bacteria, cyanobacteria are the most common cause of algae blooms in freshwater, such as lakes or rivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research suggests that climate change may be triggering cyanobacterial algae blooms more frequently. Although the Environmental Protection Agency sets guidelines on safe levels of fecal bacteria, states can set their own water quality and monitoring standards. Some, such as Illinois, test public beaches every two weeks. 'I would say, the higher the levels, probably the higher the risk,' Dudley said. While fecal waste can lead to many harmful diseases, experts are worried by recent increasing levels of another harmful bacteria: vibrio. Vibrio is a potentially deadly bacteria that has caused similar beach closures in recent years. The flesh-eating bug thrives in warm, coastal waters. Jutla, who researches vibrio bacteria, has seen vibrio gradually migrate north across the United State. Testing for vibrio depends on each state as well as its concentration limits, he said. 'It's a rare thing right now with increasing trends in the entire country, but that's something that we are really concerned about — what is going to be present in the coastal waters,' Jutla said about vibrio.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
KMC focuses on height of buildings in flight path
1 2 Kolkata: In the wake of the Ahmedabad tragedy, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) buildings department has alerted the executive engineers in the boroughs to strictly adhere to the building height guidelines sent by Airports Authority of India (AAI). The AAI issues guidelines to KMC regarding building height restrictions around airports to ensure flight safety. These guidelines are based on the AAI's colour coded zoning maps (CCZM) and dictate permissible building heights within specific zones. Construction exceeding the permissible heights requires an NoC from AAI. According to a buildings department official, maximum vigilance will be maintained in the Cossipore-Dum Dum belt, which is closer to Kolkata airport, and the areas near Behala flying club. According to a modified building rule, the KMC executive engineers need to carefully pass even a G+1 building in the Cossipore-Dum Dum belt due to its proximity to the airport. As far as sanctioning plans in other city areas is concerned, KMC has asked the borough executive engineers to follow the CCZM and, in case of any doubt, refer the matter to seniors at the civic headquarters. "In most cases, we need to keep a check on G+4, G+5, and G+6 buildings located within the specified 20-km radius. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Any building crossing the approved height limit will require special sanction from us. We will take a decision in coordination with AAI," a civic official said. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015, no construction or plantation activity is permitted within a 20-km radius of an airport's Aerodrome Reference Point (ARP) without clearance from authorities concerned. Builders, developers, and individual property owners must secure a mandatory NoC before undertaking any such activity. The NoC, once issued, remains valid for eight years and can be extended for a maximum of 12 years.
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh orders special audit of educational boards amid corruption allegations
Listen to article The Sindh Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered a special audit of all educational boards across the province following concerns over financial irregularities and allegations of corruption in the marking system, Express News reported. The audit, covering the years 2022 to 2024, aims to ensure transparency in financial expenditures and grading mechanisms. PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro, while chairing the committee meeting at the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday, expressed strong reservations over the performance of the province's educational boards, stating that complaints of students being awarded high marks in exchange for money had raised serious concerns about the credibility of the system. The PAC has directed the Director General (DG) Audit to conduct a three-year special audit of Sindh's seven educational boards and submit a report within four months. Additionally, the Universities and Boards Department has been tasked with formulating Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the audit within one week. The meeting was attended by PAC members Saadia Javed and Khurram Karim Soomro, along with Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch, Chairman of the Karachi Inter and Matric Board Sharaf Ali Shah, and other board representatives. Manipulation in exam results During the meeting, the PAC chairman voiced frustration over widespread allegations that students could obtain top grades by paying bribes, leading to a decline in the quality of education. 'If students are being awarded A+ grades by paying money, how will they ever pass entry tests for professional institutions?' he questioned. Khuhro highlighted that the Sindh government had made intermediate education free and was allocating Rs2 billion annually to cover examination fees. However, he lamented that the manipulation of results had put the education system's integrity in question. 'This is about the future of our younger generation. We will not compromise on education under any circumstances,' he asserted. Karachi inter board controversy PAC member Khurram Karim Soomro inquired about the status of an ongoing inquiry into the manipulation of first-year examination results in Karachi. He asked why Karachi Inter Board Chairman Amir Qadri was removed from his position and demanded an update on the investigation. In response, Karachi Inter and Matric Board Chairman Sharaf Ali Shah provided an unexpected reply, stating that the board was criticized regardless of the results. 'If we award lower marks, people complain. If we give higher marks, we face allegations. We are now revising our strategy to ensure greater transparency,' he said, adding that a report on result manipulation would be released soon. Need for educational reform PAC member Saadia Javed strongly supported the special audit, emphasizing that ensuring transparency in examination results was crucial for maintaining academic standards. Chairman Khuhro reinforced this stance, declaring: 'Educational boards are supposed to be the foundation of nation-building. If we fail to uphold transparency in their operations, we fail the future generations. Only a fair and credible system can help our students compete globally.'
