Antibiotics in Drinking Water and Health Risks — China, 2017

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Antibiotic contaminations in the environment are understood to pose human health risks including disturbing the microbiome in the human body and producing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose serious public health risks. Antibiotics have been detected in aquatic environments and drinking water worldwide. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? Contamination levels of antibiotics in raw, finished, and tap water were investigated systematically, to the best of our knowledge, in major Chinese water basins. Multiple antibiotic contaminations in raw water and their incomplete removal during water-treatment processes results in human exposure to antibiotics via drinking water. Human exposure to such antibiotics and its health risks were evaluated in this study. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? This study highlights the need to strengthen management of antibiotic exposure from drinking water. A multisectoral action plan at the national level is required to curb the effects of environmental antibiotic pollution.