Loren Benton

Mrs. Hensel
English IV
21 February 2016
Ocean Pollution and Human Health
Imagine if every vacation to the beach or every mouthwatering seafood dinner was
followed with a routine trip to the hospital. With typical global issues putting weight on our
shoulders, the weight of another issue is mixing up in our very own oceans. Plastic and other
pollutants are steadily churning in our seemingly beautiful blue water putting marine life, and
human health at risk. The jeopardy ocean pollution has put human health at has also be shown
over a financial decrease for tourists favorite beaches. Furthermore, the NRDC says that
financial experts project that a day at the beach is worth approximately $35 for each beach
visitor, resulting in quite a tremendous economic downfall when beaches are closed due to
contamination ("Curious about Water Quality at Local Beaches?"). Two ways ocean pollution
has exposed human health to harmful diseases is the direct contact of the contaminated ocean
water, and also the consumption of infected marine life.
Water activities in the ocean certainly makes one more vulnerable to the harsh diseases
generated from the pollutants. Activities, such as surfing are now health hazards, and a coastal
preservation group has found that bacterial levels soar to unsafe levels at most popular surf
spots (Kenneth). Among the enormous amounts of life in the oceans contaminated water,
surfers and divers are at greater risk of illness now bringing fright to do what they love
("Beachapedia."). The diseases could be contracted from a splash of water getting in one's eyes,
water getting into an open wound, and possibly even accidentally swallowing or inhaling the

water. We absorb and ingest several different disease-causing organisms, commonly called
pathogens ("Beachapedia."). These pathogens are spawn of fecal matter, and other disposables
of animals that are brought to the ocean aside runoff water and are at fault for most of beach
closings ("Curious about Water Quality at Local Beaches?").
One is put to a possible consequence simply just by stepping one foot into the ocean.
Pollutants have human health exposed to a quantity of bacteria types. A stretch of an antibody
opposing medicine known as staph bacteria was detected in 10 beaches down Washingtons
West Coast (Cosmato). This staph bacteria finds pathways into the body such as the nose or any
open wounds. The infection could potentially worsen if wounds are not promptly and properly
treated ("Beachapedia."). Yet another bacteria known as Vibrio Cholerae has also caused harm
to beachgoers. This strain, monitored to surface during extreme weather events has been
another danger to human health (Cosmato). Further illnesses such as the stomach flu, respiratory
infections, skin rashes, pinkeye, hepatitis, meningitis, and many more are affecting ones who
visit these polluted beaches. As an outcome of ocean pollution gastroenteritis is one of the more
frequent illness, causing swelling in the stomach and small intestines (Cosmato). Symptoms for
this illness are not always shown immediately, and can possibly even take days until observed.
Those who have weak immune systems are more prone to this disease, and must take
precaution (Cosmato).
Beaches are popular tourist spots for two reasons; the beach, and the seafood.
The deadly diseases brought by ocean pollution does not only put one a repercussion from
entering the water, but also by consuming the infected marine life. Living in the ocean, marine
life easily [becomes] contaminated from the chemicals in the water and are more susceptible
of contracting and spreading diseases from pollution ("Plastics in the Ocean Affecting Human

Health."). Breathing in the ocean water the marine life automatically are absorbing in thousands
of toxins quicker than they can swim. Human health is in a crisis, and are the last and worst to be
affected by these illness causing chemicals and pollutants. The problem of contamination
[ending] up back in the human food chain has put one's love for seafood on edge (Silven).
Humans are at a possibility of eating a contaminated fish, resulting in hospital bills from just
eating a fantasy seafood dinner. Contagions in these pollution sources are associated with
cancers, birth defects, immune system problems, and childhood developmental issues
("Plastics in the Ocean Affecting Human Health."). No one deserves to have consequences that
are potentially deadly, after eating something considered healthy.
Ocean pollution is causing so much more harm than some expect. The ocean is one of the
most beautiful creations on this earth, and plastics and other pollutants are simply turning into
one the the most dangerous, and ugly places on earth. Human health is at threat, and exposed to
some of the most harmful diseases. Ocean pollution is making it difficult for many to enjoy
simple things such as vacationing to the beach, and eating a divine seafood dinner. This pollution
is extremely harmful to humans, and can danger human health exposing them to diseases and
illnesses from direct contact with the contaminated water, and also from consumption of infected
marine life.

Works Cited
Barclay, Eliza. "How Plastic In The Ocean Is Contaminating Your Seafood."NPR. NPR, 16
Dec. 2013. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
"Beachapedia." Staph Infections -. Beachpedia, 23 Aug. 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

Cosmato, Donna. "Beach Closings: Understanding the Effects of Beach Pollution and
Why the Beach Is Closed." Bright Hub. Bright Hub Inc., 25 Oct. 2010. Web.
29 Feb. 2016.
"Curious about Water Quality at Local Beaches?" Testing The Waters: Health and
Economic Impacts. Natural Resources Defense Council, 8 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2016.
"Plastics in the Ocean Affecting Human Health." Case Studies. National Association of
Geoscience Teachers, 7 Dec. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
Silven, Kirsten E. "Plastic Contamination in the Atlantic Ocean." Plastic Contamination in the
Atlantic Ocean. The Earth Times, 06 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
25, June. "Doctors Suspect Illnesses Linked to Polluted Waters Off County's Coast."
Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 25 June 1995. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.