Environment: Swimmers Warned of Hazards Posed by Runoff From Storm
The environmental group Heal the Bay warns people not to swim in the ocean for three days after a storm.
Rainwater coursing through storm drain pipes carries pollution such as grease, pesticides and animal droppings into the ocean, usually elevating the level of bacteria along Santa Monica Bay beaches.
The contaminants, which can cause a variety of health problems, gradually dissipate.
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