Antibiotic in Bangladesh rivers 300 times higher than safe level: Study

Antibiotics exceeded 'safe' levels by the "greatest degree" in Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigerian rivers, while a site in Austria was ranked the highest of the European sites monitored, says a new global study.

Metronidazole has also exceeded safe levels by the biggest margin, with concentrations at one site in Bangladesh 300 times greater than the 'safe' level, according to the study released on Monday by the University of York, UK.

Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections including skin and mouth infections.

In the River Thames and one of its tributaries in London, the researchers detected a maximum total antibiotic concentration of 233 nanograms per litre (ng/l), whereas in Bangladesh the concentration was 170 times higher.

Concentrations of antibiotics found in some of the world's rivers exceed 'safe' levels by up to 300 times, the first-ever global study, released on Monday, discovered.

Researchers at England's University of York looked for 14 commonly used antibiotics in rivers in 72 countries across six continents and found antibiotics at 65 percent of the sites monitored. The most prevalent antibiotic was trimethoprim, which was detected at 307 of the 711 sites tested and is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections.

The research team compared the monitoring data with

‘safe’ levels recently established by the AMR Industry Alliance which, depending on the antibiotic, range from 20-32,000 ng/l. Ciproflaxacin, which is used to treat a number of bacterial infections, was the compound that most frequently exceeded safe levels, surpassing the safety threshold in 51 places.

Global problem

The team said the ‘safe’ limits were most frequently exceeded in Asia and Africa, but sites in Europe, North America and South America also had levels of concern showing that antibiotic contamination was a “global problem.” Sites where antibiotics exceeded ‘safe’ levels by the greatest degree were in Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigeria, while a site in Austria was ranked the highest of the European sites monitored.

The study revealed that high-risk sites were typically adjacent to wastewater treatment systems, waste or sewage dumps and in some areas of political turmoil, including the Israeli and Palestinian border.

Monitoring

The project, which was led by the University of York, was a huge logistical challenge - with 92 sampling kits flown out to partners across the world who were asked to take samples from locations along their local river system.

Antibiotic in Bangladesh rivers 300 times higher than safe level: Study

Antibiotics exceeded safe levels by the greatest degree in Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigerian rivers, while a site in Austria was ranked the highest of the European sites monitored, says a new global study. Metronidazole has also exceeded safe levels by the biggest margin, with concentrations at one site in Bangladesh 300 times greater than the safe level, according to the study released on Monday by the University of York, UK. Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections including skin and mouth infections. In the River Thames and one of its tributaries in London, the researchers detected a maximum total antibiotic concentration of 233 nanograms per litre (ng/l), whereas in Bangladesh the concentration was 170 times higher. Concentrations of antibiotics found in some of the worlds rivers exceed safe levels by up to 300 times, the first-ever global study, released on Monday, discovered. Researchers at Englands University of York looked for 14 commonly used antibiotics in rivers in 72 countries across six continents and found antibiotics at 65 percent of the sites monitored. The most prevalent antibiotic was trimethoprim, which was detected at 307 of the 711 sites tested and is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections. The research team compared the monitoring data with safe levels recently established by the AMR Industry Alliance which, depending on the antibiotic, range from 20-32,000 ng/l. Ciproflaxacin, which is used to treat a number of bacterial infections, was the compound that most frequently exceeded safe levels, surpassing the safety threshold in 51 places. Global problem The team said the safe limits were most frequently exceeded in Asia and Africa, but sites in Europe, North America and South America also had levels of concern showing that antibiotic contamination was a global problem. Sites where antibiotics exceeded safe levels by the greatest degree were in Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigeria, while a site in Austria was ranked the highest of the European sites monitored. The study revealed that high-risk sites were typically adjacent to wastewater treatment systems, waste or sewage dumps and in some areas of political turmoil, including the Israeli and Palestinian border. Monitoring The project, which was led by the University of York, was a huge logistical challenge - with 92 sampling kits flown out to partners across the world who were asked to take samples from locations along their local river system.