Beach sand can pose a danger to human health as various microorganisms live in it. Rospotrebnadzor told socialbites.ca.
“Protozoa (giardia, amoeba, trypanosomes), pathogenic fungi (mycosis pathogens), helminths (worms) and various bacteria “live” in beach sand, Lebedev said.
According to the expert, the so-called “wild” beaches are especially dangerous. It is important to take into account that the sand near the reservoir has never been treated with disinfectants, and at a depth of 5-6 cm it is a favorable environment for the habitat and reproduction of a wide variety of microorganisms (mainly pathogens of fungal infections). .
However, if the sand is dry, warm and relatively clean, the risk of infection is low. The specialist also advised not to dig in the sand and make figures out of sand – in microcracks and wounds on the skin, pathogenic pathogens can cause mycosis or candidiasis. In addition, fungal spores easily penetrate the wet skin of the feet after bathing.