S26:Waterborne Docu-discussion

This presentation is given in partnership with the Spring Run Eco Club. One drop, or 1 ml of seawater, can contain as many as 10 million viruses and 1 million bacteria. Many of these are benign. Some create serious human health risk. It just so happens that Florida has more than its share of bad actors. Harmful algae blooms such as red tide and cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) are becoming more frequent and severe in Florida and many parts of the world. Other waterborne contaminates of concern in Florida include fecal bacteria, vibrio, naegleria, megionella, and other pathogens as well as things like heavy metals. What is most disturbing, from a public health standpoint, is that in addition to direct water exposure, many of these contaminates can become aerosolized or airborne whether from the motion of waves, boat wakes, storm events or simply from evaporation. So what are the public health risks? Are we exposing ourselves, our families, maybe even our children to human health risk? What legislative remedies or changes to current public policy are necessary to mitigate harm?

Purpose: Screen the film Waterborne and participate in a group discussion about the film

Facilitator: Terri Socol