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Investing in Health and Methods Research
As mentioned, current test methods cannot detect all disease-causing organisms or give us instantaneous results. To fill this gap, EPA has begun work on a multi-year research agenda. EPA in conjunction with the scientific community, will develop new and better ways to assess viral and bacterial contamination in recreational waters.
Specifically, the BEACH Program research agenda includes, among other things: development of methods that will identify the presence of eye, ear, nose, throat, and skin disease-causing agents in recreational waters; development of an easy to use "dipstick" indicator method that can be used by local officials, private citizens, or lifeguards to instantaneously identify the potential for fecal contamination; and epidemiological studies to validate new methods and establish relationships between diseases and the presence of microorganisms in the water.
Implementation of the research agenda has begun and will continue at least through the year 2001. Additional monitoring and assessment tools will be made available as they are completed.
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