Antibiotic resistance is a rapidly emerging major threat, about which health experts have been raising concerns in several studies. Antibiotic resistance means that the bacteria that it is designed to kill become attuned to the same drug. When this happens, even if you have a small infection and antibiotics are given for it, the germs do not die, but keep on growing, the condition of serious infection can also be fatal. This risk is believed to be increasing rapidly due to overuse of antibiotics.
Scientists warn- 'We will be in dire need of medicines but they will not have any effect'
Researchers have made a big disclosure in a study to understand the causes of antibiotic resistance. The team of scientists says that air pollution may increase this risk. To reduce this risk, it has become very necessary to control air pollution.
Air pollution and antibiotic resistance
According to research published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, controlling air pollution could help reduce antibiotic resistance. The association between PM2.5 air pollution and the increase in antibiotic resistance has been shown to strengthen over time. An analysis of data from 116 countries from 2000 to 2018 found that increased levels of PM2.5 in the atmosphere have led to a large increase in antibiotic resistance in recent years. The way the pollution level continues to rise, its danger may increase with time.
PM2.5 level is increasing in the environment
Significantly, among the sources of PM2.5 in the atmosphere, industrial processes, road transport and burning of coal-wood are being considered as major. Previous research indicates that 90 percent of the world's population (about 7.3 billion people) is directly exposed to PM 2.5 levels, of which 80 percent live in low- and middle-income countries. All of these may be at risk of antibiotic resistance.
What do researchers say?
Lead researcher and author Professor Hong Chen from Zhejiang University in China says, discussing antibiotic resistance is also very important because the risk of many types of infectious diseases is also increasing globally. Many sources in our daily life can cause PM 2.5 to increase in the atmosphere.
Although there is no strong evidence to establish a link between air pollution and antibiotic resistance, studies are emphasizing that controlling air pollution can provide benefits.
What are the findings of the study?
The study's findings indicate that antibiotic resistance increases with PM2.5, with each 1% increase in air pollution increasing antibiotic resistance by 0.5 to 1.9%, depending on the pathogen. This relationship has strengthened over time, with changes in PM 2.5 levels causing a large increase in antibiotic resistance in recent years.
The study's analysis indicates that antibiotic resistance caused by air pollution caused an estimated 480,000 premature deaths in 2018, with the risk of more in the future.
(PC: Freepik)
