Meres what you don't know about all those shimmering, glamorous beaches in Los Angeles: after a major rainfall, residents of the county are often warned to stay away from these sun-kissed, sandy paradises, sometimes for up to three days. Why? Because when rainwater hits roads and pavements, it washes away dirt, debris, and nasty toxins, carrying them for miles through the county's storm drain system. By the time all of it is dumped into the sea, the rainwater contains a toxic stew of pollutants that may include mercury, arsenic, lead, and fecal bacteria.
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