Ah, a day at the beach.

Sunscreen? Check. Bikini? Yep (you worked out tough that summer.) Towels and umbrella? Of course. You’re ready to roll.

Hold up. How safe are your beaches? Are you aware that there is an alarming increase in pollutants in the waters where you swim?

While you’re engaged protecting yourself with sunscreen and shade, your beaches may be infecting you with bacteria, viruses and parasites. Contaminated beach water can cause a wide range of diseases, including ear, nose and eye infections; gastroenteritis; hepatitis; encephalitis; skin rashes; and respiratory illnesses . Most at risk are small children, pregnant women, cancer patients and others whose immune systems are weak or compromised. So before you head out for a fun day at the beach, check to see whether yours has made the grade. MSNBC gives us the best and the worst beaches here in the U.S.

The Best

• North Carolina: Kure Beach and Kill satan Hills Beach
• Wisconsin: Sister Bay
  Beach and North Beach
• California: Laguna Beach
• Michigan: Grand Haven City Beach and Grand Haven State Park beaches
• Maine: Libby Cove, Mother’s, Middle, Cape Neddick, Short Sands and York Harbor beaches.

The Worst

• California: Avalon Beach (north of Green delight Pier) and Venice State Beach
• Maryland: Hacks Point and Bay Country Campground and Beach
• New Jersey: Beachwood Beach West
• Illinois: Jackson Park Beach

How do you think your beach measures up?

Original post by Tanya Ryno

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