Air Pollution Linked to Antibiotic Resistance
Air Pollution Linked to Antibiotic Resistance
The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution and Antibiotic Resistance
Many people are aware of the risks associated with overprescribing antibiotics and the subsequent rise of medication-resistant illnesses. However, recent research suggests that air pollution may also be a significant contributor to antibiotic resistance. According to an in-depth global analysis published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the control of air pollution could have a substantial impact on reducing antibiotic resistance, ultimately saving lives and reducing economic costs.
Lead author Hong Chen, a professor at Zhejiang University in China, states, “Antibiotic resistance and air pollution are each, in their own right, among the greatest threats to global health. This work suggests the benefits of controlling air pollution could be twofold: Not only will it reduce the harmful effects of poor air quality, but it could also play a major role in combating the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
The study reveals potential pathways through which air pollution contributes to antibiotic resistance. Hospitals, farms, and sewage-treatment facilities release and spread antibiotic-resistant particles through the air over long distances. This airborne transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is exacerbated by air pollution. The primary source of air pollution linked to antibiotic resistance is known as PM2.5, which includes industrial processes, road transportation, domestic coal and wood burning, among other sources.
Globally, approximately 7.3 billion people are directly exposed to unsafe average annual PM2.5 levels, with 80% of those individuals living in low- and middle-income countries. The researchers found a clear correlation between PM2.5 levels and antibiotic resistance. For every 1% increase in air pollution, antibiotic resistance increased by 0.5% to 1.9%, depending on the specific pathogen. Furthermore, this association has shown a strengthening trend over time, with recent years experiencing larger increases in antibiotic resistance due to changes in PM2.5 levels.
To conduct their analysis, the authors used data from 116 countries between 2000 and 2018. The study included data on over 11.5 million test isolates, covering nine bacterial pathogens and 43 types of antibiotics. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance were observed in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, while levels in Europe and North America remained comparatively low.
- Tips for Buying Shoes for Your Kids for the New School Year
- Only 20% of Americans with opioid misuse receive helpful medication.
- High risk of drug overdose for nurses and other health care workers
The study estimates that air pollution-related antibiotic resistance resulted in approximately 480,000 premature deaths in 2018, with additional economic costs amounting to $395 billion. Alarming projections based on the researchers’ models suggest that without changes to current air pollution policies, global antibiotic resistance levels could increase by 17% by 2050. This would lead to an annual premature death toll of around 840,000, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most severely impacted region.
Fortunately, the study also highlights potential solutions. Implementing a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended policy that limits PM2.5 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) could decrease global antibiotic resistance by 17% by 2050. This policy change would result in a 23% reduction in premature deaths associated with antibiotic resistance worldwide and provide annual economic savings of $640 billion.
Air pollution and antibiotic resistance are both critical issues that pose significant threats to global health. Understanding the relationship between the two allows us to better tackle these challenges. By implementing policies that prioritize the control of air pollution, we can not only improve air quality but also combat the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is essential for governments, organizations, and individuals to take action to reduce air pollution and safeguard the effectiveness of antibiotics, ultimately saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
Sources:
- The Lancet Planetary Health, news release, Aug. 8, 2023
- [SLIDESHOW] Bacterial Infections 101: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments
