A 99% risk. Athletes are almost certain to be contaminated by extremely polluted of Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Olympic Games, if we judge the risk estimated by an investigation by the Associated Press (AP) agency. She analyzed samples collected in the three sites where the events will take place as well as on Ipanema beach, which will welcome many tourists.
The results are edifying. In Brazil, the majority of waste are not treated and the waste water of 6 million inhabitants flows into Guanabara Bay, where 1,400 athletes will compete in sailing events. The analysis of the sample collected at Lake Freitas, where the canoeing events will take place, is very alarming: between 14 million and 1.7 billion adenoviruses per litre. For comparison, water quality experts in California are very concerned when the results reach 1,000 adenoviruses per liter, as explained by AP.
Almost inevitable respiratory and digestive diseases
The risk of contamination for athletes is 99% by swallowing the equivalent of three teaspoons of this contaminated water. contracting a respiratory illness or digestive seems inevitable for athletes. The viruses present in the water can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, bronchitis, foot-hand-mouth syndrome (viral infection that causes lesions on the feet, hands and mouth), gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis and inflammation of the skin.
There will not be enough time to decontaminate the waters of the bay. Eco-boats are set up to collect waste on the surface, but this is not enough to eradicate viruses. Brazilian authorities recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis and typhoid. The advice of certain doctors to athletes: come and acclimatize to these waters to develop their immune system…
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