World's rivers are contaminated with dangerous levels of antibiotics, study finds
Rivers around the world are contaminated with dangerous levels of antibiotics, according to a major new study.
Concentrations of antibiotics in some waterways exceed safe levels by 300 times, a global team of scientists led by the University of York found.
The Thames was contaminated with five antibiotics, including levels of ciprofloxacin – used to treat skin and urinary tract infections – that were three times what is considered safe.
Researchers looked at 14 commonly used antibiotics in rivers flowing through 72 countries and
found antibiotics were in two-thirds of samples.
Scientists fear antibiotics in rivers cause bacteria to develop resistance meaning they can no longer be used in medicines for humans. The UN estimates that the rise in antibiotic resistance could kill 10 million people by 2050.
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/worlds-rivers-contaminated-antibiotics-university-of-york-a8931576.html
