Antibiotic pollution in India’s rivers threatens ecosystems, public health: Study

Widespread antibiotic contamination in India’s rivers could present substantial threats to both ecological systems and public health, as it may promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disrupt aquatic ecosystems, according to a recent study by Economic Times Health.

The study estimated that around 80 per cent of India's rivers are at risk from antibiotic pollution. This means the concentration of antibiotics in these water bodies is high enough to pose ecological and public health concerns. Here’s a breakdown of what this likely involves:

Antibiotic pollution

Antibiotics from pharmaceutical manufacturing, human waste, agricultural runoff (from livestock), and hospitals are making their way into rivers. These residues do not fully degrade in waste-water treatment processes and persist in aquatic ecosystems.

Consequences

Promotes antimicrobial resistance (AMR): Bacteria in the water can become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Impact on aquatic life: Even low concentrations of antibiotics can disrupt microbial communities and harm fish and other organisms.

Long-term human health risks: Contaminated river water used for agriculture or drinking could reintroduce resistant bacteria into the population.

Geographic scope

The study likely surveyed rivers across various Indian states, with special focus on industrial and urban regions with dense populations and pharmaceutical activity.

Call to action

Researchers and environmental advocates are urging better regulation of pharmaceutical waste, stricter enforcement of pollution control measures, and investment in advanced waste-water treatment facilities.

According to researchers from McGill University in Canada, antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections often pass through the human body without being fully metabolised, and are not effectively eliminated by most waste-water treatment plants.

The potential exposure of 315 million people in India to environmental risks from antibiotics in rivers is a critical issue that intersects public health, environmental safety, and antimicrobial resistance, the study revealed.

The presence of antibiotics in rivers creates an environment in which bacteria can evolve and become resistant to commonly used antibiotics. This means the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating infections in humans could be compromised, leading to longer, more difficult treatment and an increase in deaths from infections that were once treatable.

Rivers contaminated by antibiotics may also carry a mix of pathogens and resistant bacteria. If people use these water sources for drinking, bathing, or agriculture, they may unknowingly ingest harmful bacteria that are harder to treat.

Chronic exposure to low levels of antibiotics can affect human health in unpredictable ways, including disrupting gut microbiomes, leading to other health problems. Also, individuals with weakened immune systems, like the elderly and children, are especially vulnerable.

Farmers who use river water for irrigation could end up introducing antibiotic-resistant bacteria into their crops, affecting food safety. Crops contaminated with resistant bacteria could, in turn, affect people consuming the food.

The challenge of antibiotic contamination in India's rivers is vast and requires a multifaceted approach involving government, industry, healthcare, and the public to ensure both environmental and human health are protected. Addressing this crisis is not just crucial for India but for the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.