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GUEST: Michelle Mehta, Attorney with the Coastal Water Quality Program, Natural Resources Defense Council

A new study of beaches in the US reveals that in 2006 there were a record number of days when beaches were considered too unsafe to swim in. In fact, according to the Natural Resources and Defense Council, which conducted the study, there were more than 25,000 closing and health advisory days at ocean, bay and Great Lakes beaches in 2006. California alone reported a total of 4,644 closing and advisory days. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Rhode Island, and Minnesota ranked the worst for failing to meet national health standards. The beach closures were caused by sewage spills and overflows, and elevated bacteria levels from miscellaneous sources, such as boat discharges or wildlife. However, more than 14,000 closing and advisory days were due to unknown sources of pollution. The NRDC also concluded in its report that beaches are not being tested as well as they should.

Read the entire report: www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/titinx.asp

For more information, visit www.nrdc.org.