Water pollution in Rio de Janeiro extends farther offshore than previously realized, according to a new report released in advance of the Olympics to be held there next year. Bacteria tend to break down quickly in tropical climates, the study noted, while viral pathogens can remain active for months.
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This news comes after it was recently reported that the Rio water was significantly contaminated with viruses and bacteria. That indicates the infectious counts are not being diluted the farther out they drift from shore.
“The levels of viruses are so high in these Brazilian waters that if we saw those levels here in the United States on beaches, officials would likely close those beaches”, Mena said. Competitors attempted everything from bleaching oars to showering immediately after races, but still fell ill at a rate of 6.7 percent of 567 rowers.
Sports officials pledged they would do their own viral testing of Rio’s waters, but Olympic and World Health Organization officials have delayed carrying out those promises, according to the AP.
In 2009, Rio de Janeiro officially won hosting rights for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Ipanema Beach, popular with tourists and where numerous expected 350,000 foreign visitors will take a dip during the games, was also tested.
Pollution caused by untreated sewage is not being diluted in the bays and lagoons that are sites for Olympic events, the AP said. Some athletes and coaching staff members who may be unable to afford air-conditioning may end up disagreeing with Andrada, as temperatures have been known to creep into the mid-90s, even in August.
Shifting the cost for air conditioning and other amenities from the host city to each nation’s Olympic committee – or to the athletes themselves – is a big deal, said American Nick Symmonds, a two-time Olympic runner.
This hasn’t been the case so far, as experts say viral levels are so high that if this happened in the US, these beaches would be closed.
The high levels of sewage-linked pathogens found in the offshore sailing courses “show that… there are many, many points where sewage enters the bay”, said Brazilian virologist Fernando Spilki, coordinator of the environmental quality program at Feevale University in southern Brazil, who is conducting monthly tests for the AP. The astronomically fetid water – 1.7 million times the level of hazardous conditions in the USA – was thought to be restricted to shorelines and rivers.
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“We are discussing with our partners, especially the International Olympic Committee, what kind of levels of service we can reduce”, Andrada said.
