68 antibiotic pollutants detected in China's surface water

(ECNS) – An article published in the academic journal Science China said 68 antibiotic pollutants have been detected in China's surface water, according to caixin.com.

The study, by researchers from Tsinghua University, Tongji University, and East China University of Science and Technology, says 158 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been detected as pollutants in China's rivers and lakes, and 68 are antibiotics.

PPCPs consist of a variety of chemical substances, including drugs and cosmetics. Researches have suggested that some PPCP pollutants may cause ecological harm.

According to the research, concentrations of antibiotic PPCPs in China's water is much higher than in Western countries. For example, sulfamerazine, a kind of antibiotic, has been detected at a concentration of 14.9 to 623.3 nanograms in Huangpu River.

The article said the main sources of the PPCP pollutants are domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, and emissions from agribusiness.

In addition, abuse of antibiotics in veterinary drugs and animal feed additives are also considered a major cause of PPCP pollutants.

China is a major producer and consumer of PPCPs in the world, but little research has been done on them.