Originally Posted by VidaNaPraia

... And the residue remains in the sand. The latest problem has been with the contamination of the beach showers at the postos in Rio. Waste water is a major problem in Brazil (and water in general, given another year of flooding in many places), especially in the large cities, but elsewhere as well, an embarassment to a country that has the resources to do better for its citizens and its visitors (if only the money didn't find its way into the pockets of some crooked politician). However, I can say that I have never had health problems as a result of swimming laps (head and ears in water) almost daily in the waters off one big city in particular.