Review of airborne antimicrobial resistance
This report presents the findings of a short project that explored the current state of knowledge on airborne antimicrobial resistance.
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Resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial substances is becoming a major risk for human health and it is now clear that many of the resistant infections seen in hospitals have been contracted elsewhere. This report presents the findings of a short project that explored the current state of knowledge on airborne antimicrobial resistance.
There is limited understanding of the sources, loads and pathways of antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Moreover, most of the existing research has focused on wastewater or farm practice. However, the Environment Agency also has duties relating to air emissions from a range of installations. This project sought to review what is known of antimicrobial resistance in the air and to highlight knowledge gaps and potential future research. This review confirmed that there has been very limited research in this area and exposures are expected but unquantified.