At LSS we’ve always been a bit worried about rising levels of antibiotic resistance among infectious microorganisms. We think it could kill rather a lot of people. We’re also worried about rising levels of air pollution, particularly the deadly PM2.5 particles from engines, coal and burning forests. We think that could kill rather a lot of people too.
So what de we do when someone brings the two together? Have a nervous
breakdown? Take the entire staff of LSS over to the Porter and
Sorter and East Croydon Station for a massive drink up? We need to
decide quickly, because someone has done the unexpected. The improbable. They
have found a strong link between PM2.5 particles and the rise of antibiotic
resistance.
To show our utter impartiality, we’ve got two press links: one from the Guardian[1]
and one from the Mail [2] Both say the same thing. An international
team has used some really robust data (2000-2018; 118 countries) to show some
sort of link between rising levels of pollutant particulates and rising levels
of antibiotic resistance. They also have the admirable humility to admit that
they don’t know how or why yet. But we strongly suspect they have opened the
door on a vast new area of research in public health.
From which we draw a number of conclusions, none of them all that nice:
1 Things generally are worse than we thought
2 My freedom to drive my white van through your neighbourhood deeply
conflicts with your freedom to live (Sun readers please note)
3 What else is further driving antibiotic resistance? Smoking? Ultra
processed foods? Suddenly it’s wide open.
4 Should the UK Government sack Michael “we’ve had
enough of experts” Gove and spend the money on research
into this matter?
We await your responses with interest.
[1]https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/07/air-pollution-linked-rise-antibiotic-resistance-imperils-human-health
[3] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(23)00135-3/fulltext
#pollution #lung disease #asthma #antibitic resistance #diesel #pm2.5
#public health
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