A recent study led by McGill University revealed the environmental impact of antibiotics. Around 8,500 tons reach the planet’s rivers every year.
This represents almost a third of global human consumption. This invisible pollution puts both aquatic biodiversity and global public health at risk.
Environmental Impact of Antibiotics: What Goes Wrong in Treatment Plants
Antibiotics enter the aquatic environment from hospitals, households, and pharmaceutical plants. However, there is an issue with current wastewater treatment systems, as they are not designed to fully filter out these compounds.
As a result, small concentrations of antibiotics accumulate in rivers, leading to persistent ecological effects even at low levels.
The issue with discarded antibiotics. (Photo: Pixabay).
Environmental Consequences and Pollution
Although the detected amounts may seem minimal, their prolonged exposure alters aquatic ecosystems, affecting fish, algae, and microbial communities.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that this pollution promotes the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, one of the most urgent global health threats.
Poor waste management results in collateral environmental impacts that require urgent attention.
In this regard, scientists propose improving water treatment systems and establishing policies to adequately manage pharmaceutical waste.
The presence of antibiotics in rivers is a warning sign that demands coordinated actions among governments, industries, and the public.
Amoxicillin, the Most Common Antibiotic Found in Rivers
The study, based on data collected from 877 river points, identified amoxicillin as the most frequent contaminant.
This substance, widely used in medicine, was found at alarming levels, especially in regions with poor sanitary infrastructure, such as South Asia. There, the excessive use of antibiotics and inadequate water treatment exacerbate the situation.
Lack of wastewater treatment.
Most Contaminated Areas in the World
India, China, and Pakistan account for 47% of rivers with high levels of antibiotics.
In these densely populated regions, around 750 million people live near contaminated rivers, posing a direct health risk.
In this context, the study emphasizes that modernizing and expanding wastewater treatment technologies represents a key opportunity for a sustainable future. Among the benefits, it mentions:
- Preventing the emergence of superbugs.
- Protecting aquatic biodiversity.
- Promoting innovation in environmental engineering by integrating solutions like bioreactors, ozonation, and nanofiltration.
- Reducing the cumulative chemical impact in already contaminated environments.
- Enabling safe reuse of treated water, crucial in water-stressed regions.
