E. coli in Chicago Beaches
August 2021 - October 2021
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains however, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can cause severe foodborne disease.
It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with STEC infection may develop HUS, with a case-fatality rate ranging from 3 to 5%. HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets). STEC has also been found isolated from bodies of water (such as ponds and streams), wells and water troughs, and has can survive for months in manure and water-trough sediments.
The prevention of infection requires control measures at all stages of the food chain, from agricultural production on the farm to processing, manufacturing and preparation of foods in both commercial establishments and household kitchens.
Teammate
Individual Project
Role
Data Analyst
Tools
Tableau
This investigation analyzes the spread of E. coli through Chicago to understand the effectiveness of environmental permits on public health and provide insights on potential causes for increases in E. coli levels.
Hypotheses
Primary Hypothesis
Waterways connected to areas with denser populations will experience increased E. coli levels due to urbanized environmental factors.
E. coli outbreaks can be traced through beaches and waterways through currents
Higher population counts will increase the risk of E. coli values
Waterways located closer in proximity to urban centers will have higher predicted levels of E. coli
Secondary Hypothesis
Beaches in proximity to areas with a higher concentration of environmental permits will experience lower E. coli levels and fewer safety reports.
Repeated pervasiveness of E. coli outbreaks may be due to lack of proper sanitation enforcement
Environmental permits provide incentives for better waste management systems
Data
Humboldt Park and the Southside of Chicago are particular areas of concern. E. coli levels have been consistently high (exceeding 235 CFU and 1000 CCE, which require a yellow swim advisory flag to be issued).
View full report.
Insights
Beaches located near central chicago have had, on average, lower levels of E. coli (without raising a yellow flag)
Areas experiencing high values in E. coli are bordered by expiring permits, low household income (2018) and white population
Most Environmental Permits issued are not Waste-related and primarily focus on air pollution — however, the data was screened so any older waste-permits in effect and issued before 2011 may have been excluded
Next Steps
While the extent of the project ends here for the purposes of class, potential next steps would be to investigate ecological factors. While human factors such as demographics or environmental behaviors (beach maintenance, etc.) may impact E. coli levels in Chicago, we cannot exclude ecological factors such as the presence of wildlife.
Additionally, further research should be done to understand E. coli life cycle and identify if there are areas for intervention.