Policy mitigation, human drivers and health risks of antibiotics in global aquatic environments

Antibiotic contamination in global aquatic environments is a growing concern due to its potential to harm ecosystems and human health. This study evaluates the role of policy mitigation in addressing health risks from antibiotic pollution by analyzing the distribution of four antibiotic groups in aquatic environments across 1214 locations in 33 countries, exploring correlations between residual antibiotic levels, socioeconomic factors, and antibiotic resistance. Although policy interventions in high-income countries have led to reductions in antibiotic pollution, the growing consumption of antibiotics in low-and-middle income countries exacerbates the issue. The health risks associated with antibiotic contamination, especially the increased risk of overweight and the spread of antibiotic resistance, pose a substantial threat to human health. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening global policies and regulations to mitigate antibiotic contamination in aquatic environment and protect human health, particularly in vulnerable populations. Antibiotic contamination in global aquatic environment exhibits significant regional disparities with low-and-middle income countries experiencing higher levels of antibiotic pollution, according to a global assessment of spatial and temporal distribution of antibiotics in aquatic environments.