Impacts of beach closures on perceptions of swimming-related health risk in Orange County, California

Following a major beach closure due to bacterial contamination, a survey of beachgoers was conducted in Huntington Beach, California in 1999 to assess perceived health risk from swimming. Responses were compared to those of beachgoers at the unaffected Laguna Main Beach. No significant differences w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2004, Vol.48 (1), p.132-136
Main Authors: Turbow, David, Lin, Ting Hsiang, Jiang, Sunny
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Applied sciences
Bacteria - pathogenicity
Biological and medical sciences
California
Data Collection
Decision Making
Environment
Environment. Living conditions
Exact sciences and technology
Female
Health risk
Humans
Huntington City Beach
Laguna Main Beach
Male
Marine
Medical sciences
Microbial contamination
Middle Aged
Natural water pollution
Pollution
Public Health
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Public Opinion
Quality Control
Risk Factors
Risk perception
Seawaters, estuaries
Swimming
USA, California, Orange Cty., Huntington Beach
USA, California, Orange Cty., Laguna Beach
Water Microbiology
Water quality
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Following a major beach closure due to bacterial contamination, a survey of beachgoers was conducted in Huntington Beach, California in 1999 to assess perceived health risk from swimming. Responses were compared to those of beachgoers at the unaffected Laguna Main Beach. No significant differences were found in risk perception. Respondents were aware of the closures (83%), yet the majority (83%) felt the water was safe for swimming. Proximity of residence to the beach was strongly associated with closure awareness (Spearman’s ρ=0.427, p
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/S0025-326X(03)00371-0