Air pollution undermines the effectiveness of antibiotics

Dipak Kurmi

(The writer can be reached at dipaknewslive@gmail.com.)

The recently concluded G20 summit in New Delhi resonated with a tangible sense of urgency to tackle environmental challenges, including climate change, air pollution, and overall environmental degradation. Under India’s leadership, the G20 nations have committed to expeditiously intensifying their efforts to address these crises through the implementation of a green development plan. This collective action underscores the prescient warning issued by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the 27th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) in 2022. Guterres had cautioned world leaders that humanity was speeding down a “highway to climate hell with a foot on the accelerator.” Recognising that 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from G20 nations, the member countries have acknowledged the gravity of the situation and are committed to achieving substantial progress in this critical area.

As the challenges facing humanity escalate amid the surge in pollution and climate change, the exclusive focus on maintaining global average temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius may no longer suffice as the primary objective for nations. Emerging and more ominous issues are arising due to escalating pollution levels. A recent publication in the health journal “Lancet” has unveiled a link between bacterial antibiotic resistance and air pollution, specifically PM 2.5. The research posits that PM 2.5 contains components associated with antibiotic resistance, and inhaling this pollutant could contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. The study’s authors sought to assess the global toll of premature deaths attributable to antibiotic resistance caused by PM 2.5 pollution.

PM 2.5, short for particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, comprises solid and liquid particles of varied sizes. While some, like visible dust and soot, can be seen with the naked eye, others, such as PM 2.5, are only discernible under electron microscopes. Inhaling these pollutants poses significant health hazards, particularly to the respiratory system. The Lancet study conducted a comparative analysis of PM 2.5 levels and antibiotic resistance, revealing a disturbing correlation: higher pollutant levels corresponded to increased antibiotic resistance. These particles, smaller than human hair, contain elements associated with antibiotic resistance.

As these pollutants traverse through the surrounding air, they scatter elements associated with antibiotic resistance, which humans can subsequently inhale, thereby triggering the development of resistance. What’s worrisome is that bacteria resistant to antibiotics can endure treatments, rendering the drugs ineffective against them. Antibiotics are primarily deployed to eradicate microorganisms, particularly bacteria, yet these resilient bacteria remain impervious to their impact.

The research gathered data from 116 countries, drawing from sources such as the Resistance Map, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Surveillance Atlas, and the PLISA Health Information Platform. A comprehensive analysis was conducted of nine pathogens and 43 drugs. The findings indicated that the escalation in antibiotic resistance among bacteria is predominantly linked to the indiscriminate application of antibiotics. The repetitive and widespread use of antibiotics can provide bacteria with the means to develop resistance over time, often facilitated by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Pathogenic bacteria, responsible for causing infections and diseases, can acquire antibiotic resistance through ARGs in a process referred to as horizontal gene transfer.

According to the Lancet health report, the crucial priority is to tackle PM2.5 levels. Failing to do so might result in an approximate 17% increase in antibiotic resistance, leading to a 56% global surge in related deaths by 2050. On the flip side, adhering to the World Health Organisation’s recommended PM 2.5 level of 5 µg/m³ could bring about a 17% reduction in antibiotic resistance and a 23% decrease in deaths. However, implementing such measures is no simple task. Out of the 30 cities worldwide grappling with severe air pollution, 21 are situated in India. The capital, New Delhi, takes the lead, with PM 2.5 levels nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s stipulated levels.

As per the CleanAir organisation, India witnesses a staggering toll of 2 million premature deaths and an economic loss of 95 billion due to PM 2.5. Faced with these grim circumstances, India has a substantial distance to cover in curbing PM2.5 levels before time runs out. While the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) represents a commendable stride in the right direction, its success demands increased determination and resolve behind the initiative.

India urgently requires significant measures. Immediate restrictions on ammonia release from farms are imperative, followed by a complete ban on refuse burning. Additionally, efforts should focus on persuading rural brick kilns to adopt cleaner firing technologies. Swift actions are needed to transition coal-based power plants to clean energy, a move that can have a substantial impact. To realise this transformation, India must advocate for the establishment of a robust financial framework, including investment funds with a dedicated green focus. These funds can play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of green industries while simultaneously addressing the dual challenges of air pollution and climate change. By combining a return-driven strategy with a sustainability imperative, these funds can expedite investments in green industries. Implementing such measures is crucial for India to combat air pollution and avert a potentially calamitous future where the efficacy of common antibiotics is jeopardised by polluted air.