CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. - Brittany Schiro knows about dirty beaches. <\/p>\n
We have a lot of problems in the water, bacterial stuff going on there,\" says Schiro, who lives close to Galveston, Texas. <\/p>\n
She is much more comfortable bringing her two daughters to Clearwater Beach, where theyre vacationing. <\/p>\n
You gotta let them be children, right?\" she said. <\/p>\n
Schiro and her husband Eric are aware of new warnings from the Environmental Protection Agency and pediatricians. Beach sand can contain pollutants and bacteria that is especially harmful to children. <\/p>\n
Symptoms can range from gastrointestinal illness to severe rashes. <\/p>\n
So far, scientists have not flagged Clearwater Beach for pollution, but other Tampa Bay beaches are being watched. <\/p>\n
The new sand warnings come with rules. Schiro follows most of them. <\/p>\n
Well, obviously I dont let my kids shovel handfuls of sand in their mouths,\" says Schiro. \"And we wash them off [after they play in the sand]. If they did have a reaction, wed pay attention to that. But theyve been fine here so far. <\/p>\n
Even eating food that falls in the sand is a no-no. Not only would your food tastes gritty and gross, it could become contaminated. <\/p>\n
Sand pollution is highest after heavy rains. Doctors urge parents to use sanitizer on tiny hands. <\/p>\n
But Schiro draws the line at some of the other rules: making kids wear beach shoes all the times or brushing sand from under their fingernails. <\/p>\n
Theres too much to worry about, says Schiro. We want them to experience the world. We dont want them to be afraid of everything. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read the original here:<\/p>\n
Sandcastles can make you sick; beware playing on beaches filled ... - ABC Action News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. - Brittany Schiro knows about dirty beaches Continue reading