Sofia - The Environment

Bacteria resistant to antibiotics can propagate in water, soil and the environment, and can transmit their resistance genes to other bacteria. When antibiotics and antibiotic residues are released into the environment, they can disrupt bacterial ecosystems by favouring the development of resistant strains through selective pressure. Resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues can spread to local flora and fauna, as well as to groundwater, increasing the resistance reservoir in the environment.

Professionals in the environmental sector are all confronted with the problem of antibiotic resistance 

The waste and effluents from urban areas, hospitals, agricultural facilities and the pharmaceutical industry contaminate soil, waterways and the sea with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as antibiotics and their residues. The same occurs with the use of contaminated manure or sewage sludge.

Certain biocides (e.g. disinfectants, fungicides, insecticides) can lead to the selection of mutant bacteria that are resistant not only to these biocides but also to certain antibiotics (co-selection of resistance).

Solutions exist to limit the dispersion of antibiotics and resistant bacteria into the environment. 

As a professional, you can help!

By reducing the use of antibiotics

  • Limit the use of antibiotics in human and animal healthcare to what is strictly necessary.

By ensuring any unused antibiotics are returned

  • Ensure that any unused antibiotics are taken back to a pharmacy/veterinary clinic or disposed of via a dedicated regulatory channel; never flush medication down the toilet or throw it in the bin.

By treating and filtering wastewater and effluents

  • Treat and filter wastewater and effluents; streamline purification processes; monitor potential sources of pollution.

By limiting contamination of effluent in agriculture through biosecurity

  • Limit contamination of agricultural effluents through biosecurity measures and the correct use of antibiotics; closely monitor effluents, irrigation water and manure; use products that have been treated prior to applying them to the soil, where possible or recommended (e.g. composted manure), and/or favour organic alternatives (green manure, composting).

By the judicious use of biocides

  • Use biocides intelligently (adhering to indicated use, type, dosage) in agricultural, domestic and healthcare practices to limit the development of cross-resistance. Favour biopesticides and agroecological practices that preserve the microbial balance. 

By implementing a monitoring system

  • Implement monitoring programmes to identify high-risk areas and activities where resistance is likely to develop and to determine the appropriate actions.