Private and public health experts are discouraging swimming off southern California's coasts until storm-induced bacteria fall back to normal levels.
Heal the Bay, a group that tracks water quality, advised swimmers and surfers to wait until as late as Jan. 25 before venturing in, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
Even walking barefoot on the sand or touching it with bare hands could be harmful, health experts said. Wet sand, in particular, could still contain potentially harmful bacteria levels from major sewage spills.
"Even if the water isn't ingested, skin contact alone can cause rashes," said Hanan Obeidi, a spokeswoman for the Long Beach health department.
Heavy rains and storms have piled up debris and pollution from the Mexican border to Malibu, and an oil spill of unknown derivation created a mile-long slick that has coated the wings of hundreds of pelicans and Western grebes from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara.
Much of the bacteria has come from recently swollen inland rivers and channels that drain into the ocean.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
