Medical News
Air pollution is making antibiotic resistance worse
Research offers another clue to tackle a major global health threat
Aglobal study has shown that air pollution is a contributing factor making antibiotics less effective across the world , shedding light on a poorly researched link between the common air pollutant called particulate matter ( PM ) and a major public health concern .
Antibiotic resistance refers to the natural phenomenon of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics , the essential medications prescribed to treat bacterial infections . The lack of adequate sanitation , poor infection prevention , lax control in many healthcare settings , and the overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals are accelerating antibiotic resistance . This can lead to longer hospital stays , higher medical costs , and increased mortality and is listed as one of the top 10 global public health threats by the World Health Organization . Roughly 1.2 million people died in 2019 because of antibiotic resistance .
Researchers analysed antibiotic resistance and air pollution data from 116 countries and observed a strong link between them across every nation , with PM being one of the largest drivers of antibiotic resistance . North Africa and west Asia are the regions where the highest detrimental effects of PM have been registered .
One reason for the link is that PM contains several bacteria resistant to antibiotics that can be inhaled by people , thus causing respiratory tract injury and infection .
“ Gobally , a 10 percent increase in annual PM could lead to a 1.1 percent increase in aggregate antibiotic resistance and �� , ��� premature deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance ,” the study authors wrote in �he �a�cet Pla�eta�� Health . They added that an estimated 480,000 premature deaths were attributed to air pollution-linked antibiotic resistance in 2018 and , if no action were taken , the number of deaths could rise to ��0,000 in 20�0 .
They conclude that air pollution reduction along with other measures , like improving drinking water supplies and sanitation , could help minimise the impact of antibiotic resistance while also benefiting public health more broadly .
“ Antibiotic resistance and air pollution are each in their own right among the greatest threats to global health . Until now , we didn ’ t have a clear picture of the possible links between the two , but this work suggests the benefits of controlling air pollution could be twofold� not only will it reduce the harmful effects of poor air quality , it could also play a major role in combatting the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria ,” said lead author , Professor Hong Chen of Zhejiang University in China , in the G�a��ia� .
Air pollution has dramatic detrimental effects on human health , with outdoor particulate matter playing a role in the development of common deadly conditions , including strokes , heart disease , lung cancer , and acute and chronic respiratory diseases .
Roughly 1.2 million people died in 2019 because of antibiotic resistance .
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