In April, a new study was published in Science of the Total Environment claiming that there are high levels of antibiotics, other medicines and chemicals in many Bangladesh’s rivers, lakes, ponds and other surface waters, which are key sources of consumption for humans. It leads to a spike in antibiotic resistance in the country.
The study found concentrations of ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin to be the highest. Other antibiotics found in the surface waters of rural and urban Bangladesh include amoxicillin,clindamycin, lincomycin, linezolid, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid and sulfapyridine.
Non-antibiotic drugs and other micro-pollutants are also adding to antibiotic-resistance, the study found. For example, the anti-depressant fluoxetine has been found to promote bacterial mutation, which leads to multiple resistance of Escherichia coli to antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, β–lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol.
Scientists believe that the cause is poor regulation of drugs use, high volume of antimicrobials used in human medicine and agricultural production and poor wastewater management. In other words, if a nation neglects effective wastewater treatment it may have grim consequences for the whole state. AEU Club collaborates with experts who are professionals in the sphere of wastewater treatment. They successfully apply their knowledge for businesses in different countries to ensure safe and sound wastewater treatment systems.
Source: phys.org