The Dangers of Water Recreation

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Isabella Knazek REC 370 Professor Vanderveer Of all the water-related activities one can do, the risks of drowning or hurting oneself have been much greater than a decade ago. Water-based recreational activities have always been perceived as having a positive influence to one’s health and general well being. In today’s society, people are increasingly taking up recreational activities in and around various bodies of water. Water can be the purest of substances, as well as a very harmful and deadly body of liquid if neglected. In addition to the huge risks of drowning, polluted and unsafe recreational waters can lead to infections, due to the exposure to chemicals, injuries and death. Aquatic-based recreation can expose people to a variety of health risks, which vary according to the type of water, geographical location and local conditions. According to World Health Organization (WHO), “Millions of liters of raw or partially-treated sewage are pumped into seas every day, polluting the environment and resulting in an estimated 250 million cases of bathing-related gastroenteritis and upper respiratory disease each year” ("Healthy recreational waters-world," 2003). Pathogenic viruses and bacteria such as E. Coli are commonly found in untreated waste, which exposes anyone who participates in water-based recreation to such deadly illnesses. “The majority of outbreaks are caused by viruses or bacteria from fecal contamination” ("Healthy recreational waters-world," 2003). This type of risk is less prevalent in the United States, but much more prevalent in countries with less access to clean water. These outbreaks can be reduced significantly if effective sewage discharge procedures were employed. “Drowning ranks among the top three causes of death from unintentional injury in most countries around the world” (Bennett, 2011). As reported by WHO, “An estimated

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