Air pollution is emerging as a significant contributor to the global rise in antibiotic resistance, posing a severe threat to human health worldwide, according to a comprehensive global study.
Based on data spanning almost two decades from over 100 countries, the analysis reveals a strong connection between increased air pollution and a surge in antibiotic resistance across every continent. This link appears to have intensified over time, with higher levels of air pollution coinciding with greater increases in antibiotic resistance.
While the main drivers of antibiotic resistance remain the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, the study suggests that elevated levels of air pollution are exacerbating the issue. The research doesn’t explore the exact science behind this connection, but it’s believed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) found in air pollution could contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes that can be inhaled directly by humans, further propagating resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is already a rapidly growing global health concern, causing an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually. Although controlling antibiotic use is crucial, curbing air pollution could play a significant role in reducing antibiotic resistance. The study proposes that addressing air pollution could lead to a dual benefit: not only mitigating the adverse effects of poor air quality but also aiding in the fight against the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Professor Hong Chen, lead author of the study, emphasized that both antibiotic resistance and air pollution are among the most pressing threats to global health. The study suggests that controlling air pollution could serve as a vital strategy to combat both issues simultaneously.
While the direct pathways for the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes through air pollution are still not fully understood, potential sources include hospitals, farms, and sewage-treatment facilities that emit and disperse antibiotic-resistant particles over long distances.
The study also highlighted that PM2.5 air pollution, composed of particles significantly smaller than a human hair, plays a pivotal role in driving antibiotic resistance. These fine particles stem from sources like road traffic, industrial processes, and domestic burning of coal and wood. The study estimated that 7.3 billion people globally are exposed to unsafe average annual PM2.5 levels.
The findings of the study, based on extensive data and analysis, underscore the urgent need for global efforts to address air pollution as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat antibiotic resistance and safeguard human health.
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