Nanoplastics and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

A recent study revealed that nanoplastics derived from single-use plastic bottles contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

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Key Highlights

• Nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles, typically smaller than 5 millimetres in diameter.
• Due to their small size, they can easily enter ecosystems, water supplies, and the food chain, posing environmental and health complications.
• Antibiotic Resistance: Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of medications that once killed them or inhibited their growth.
• Causes: overuse of antibiotics, such as unnecessary prescriptions, incomplete courses of treatment, or overuse in agriculture.
• Risks: Infections become harder to treat, leading to longer illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates.