Those envisioning July 4 celebrations at the beach might be swimming at their own risk according to a new study that found the number of beach closures nationwide because of dirty water soared last year. The Natural Resources Defense Council, which released its annual report today, found that beach closures and advisories across the country increased by 29% in 2010 compared to a year earlier. The conservation group used data from 3,000 locations nationwide and found that waters in Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan had the highest levels of contamination. Louisiana was impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which has caused beach closures this year, as well as problems with bacterial contamination in Cameron Parish beaches. Most bacterial contamination occurs during winter, when heavy rains overload storm drains and sewage systems, washing waste into the sea.
Study finds more pollution at beaches nationwide
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