Standards needed for antibiotics in water

Abstract

Antibiotics are frequently used to treat or prevent bacterial infections in humans, animals, and crops. Later, the drugs end up in the environment, particularly the water supply, through wastewater, excrement, or groundwater. Because testing for antibiotics in drinking water (even bottled water) is rare, people consume them unknowingly (1). Extensive human exposure to low-dose antibiotics can lead to decreased response to antibiotics when they are needed (2), and antimicrobial resistance is growing (3). Therefore, governments worldwide should work to identify, prevent, and remediate antibiotic contamination of water sources (4).

Topics & Concepts