Increased use of antibiotics for air pollution

2024/09/13 Etxebeste Aduriz, Egoitz - Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena
• Osasuna

A study conducted in eleven major Catalan cities shows that exposure to air pollutants is related to the use of more antibiotics. Contamination irritates the airways and produces symptoms similar to an infection. The research was published in the journal Jama Network of the UPV/EHU.

Air pollution and antibiotic resistance are two of the major global public health challenges. And this study has analyzed the relationship between the two. For eight years, daily data on air pollution and antibiotic consumption in the 11 most populous cities of Catalonia have been analyzed. And they note that by increasing concentrations of contaminants PM10, PM2.5 and NO2, antibiotic prescribing also increases in primary care facilities on the same day of exposure. And for PM2.5 particles, also 7 to 10 days after exposure.

According to the researchers, this relationship could be due to irritation of the airways and the appearance of symptoms similar to an infection, in addition to second-degree bacterial infections, while the immune system fights against contaminating particles.

This is the first time that this connection has been demonstrated and the need for action to improve air quality has been demonstrated.

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