Rivers in many countries around the world are contaminated by human antibiotics, new research warns of ecological and public health risks

The latest research led by Canada's McGill University found that rivers around the world are being seriously polluted by antibiotics used in the human body. A total of about 8,500 tons of antibiotics end up in rivers every year after passing through the human body and sewage treatment systems. These antibiotic residues are threatening aquatic ecosystems at concentrations high enough to induce drug resistance and pose potential risks to human health.

The study, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, is the first global assessment of river pollution caused by human antibiotics. The research team used a global model and combined it with actual sampling data from nearly 900 rivers to reveal the widespread distribution and risks of antibiotic pollution. Among them, amoxicillin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the world, especially in Southeast Asia. It is affected by the increase in regional drug consumption and limited sewage treatment capacity.

Heloisa Ehalt Macedo, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Geography at McGill University and the lead author of the study, pointed out: "Although residues of single antibiotics are often difficult to detect, long-term accumulation and chronic environmental exposure may still pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems."

The research team emphasized that the report only counted pollution caused by human medicine and did not include equally important sources of antibiotics such as animal husbandry and the pharmaceutical industry, so the actual degree of pollution may be more serious. Bernhard Lehner, professor of global hydrology, said: "We are not opposed to the rational use of antibiotics, but the data shows that management and mitigation measures are urgently needed to deal with their potential impact on the water environment and the spread of resistance."

Jim Nicell, professor of environmental engineering at McGill University, added: "Pollution caused by human consumption alone has become an important global problem. If livestock and industrial sources are added, the problem will only be larger. We recommend that key areas initiate monitoring programs for antibiotics and other chemicals in water bodies."

Compiled from /ScitechDaily