Study Finds 80% of India’s Rivers Threatened by Antibiotic Pollution

A new study has revealed that 80% of India’s river systems are at risk from antibiotic pollution, posing significant environmental and health concerns. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Nexus, highlights the growing problem of antibiotic contamination in waterways worldwide, with India being one of the worst-affected nations.

Researchers from McGill University, Canada, found that antibiotics—commonly used to treat bacterial infections—are not entirely metabolized by the human body and often pass through wastewater treatment systems without being removed. This results in a substantial amount of these chemicals entering rivers and other water sources.

The study points out that India is not alone in facing these risks. Other countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Pakistan, are also grappling with similar issues. The widespread pollution of rivers by antibiotics not only threatens aquatic ecosystems but also has the potential to cause antibiotic resistance in humans, making it more difficult to treat infections.

Experts are urging immediate action to improve wastewater treatment facilities and reduce the discharge of pharmaceuticals into natural water systems. Without such measures, the growing threat of antibiotic pollution could have long-lasting consequences for both the environment and public health.