Antibiotics in Drinking Water and Health Risks — China, 2017

Jia Lyu,Yongyan Chen,Lan Zhang

doi:10.46234/ccdcw2020.106

Abstract

What is already known about this topic?Antibiotic contaminations in the environment are understood to pose human health risks including disturbing the microbiome in the human body and producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose serious public health risks. Antibiotics have been detected in aquatic environments and drinking water worldwide.What is added by this report?Contamination levels of antibiotics in raw, finished, and tap water were investigated systematically, to the best of our knowledge, in major Chinese water basins. Multiple antibiotic contaminations in raw water and their incomplete removal during water-treatment processes results in human exposure to antibiotics via drinking water. Human exposure to such antibiotics and its health risks were evaluated in this study.What are the implications for public health practice?This study highlights the need to strengthen management of antibiotic exposure from drinking water. A multisectoral action plan at the national level is required to curb the effects of environmental antibiotic pollution.

Highlights

Contamination levels of antibiotics in raw, finished, and tap water were investigated systematically for the first time in major Chinese water basins during the winter and summer of
A multisectoral action plan at the national level is required to curb the effects of environmental antibiotic pollution
Investigation of antibiotic contaminations in raw, finished, and tap water in major Chinese river basins indicated that the general population had been exposed to multiple antibiotics through drinking water

Summary

Introduction

Contamination levels of antibiotics in raw, finished, and tap water were investigated systematically for the first time in major Chinese water basins during the winter and summer of The levels of contamination of 57 pharmaceuticals in raw, finished, and tap water from representative drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) located in six large river basins, inland river areas, and key lake and reservoir areas of China during the winter and summer of 2017 were investigated.

Results

Conclusion