A study shows air pollution is a factor in antibiotic resistance.

<div class="block">A study shows air pollution is a factor in antibiotic resistance.</div>

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Study: Air Pollution Linked to Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is an increasing, increasing health challenge. And a new study suggests one reason why in research published today in the journal Lancet Planetary Health researchers cited air pollution as a factor. Scientists from China and the University of Cambridge in England said that antibiotic resistance and air pollution were each individually among the greatest threats to global health. After looking at data from more than 100 countries in over 20 years, they did find that air pollution was a leading factor driving antibiotic resistance. The study didn't look at why the two might be linked, but it did suggest that limiting air pollution could have two benefits, reducing the health risks of poor air quality but also combating the rise and spread of antibiotic resistance bacteria. It's the first in depth global analysis of possible links between the two issues.