Occurrence of antibiotics in rural drinking water and related human health risk assessment

Abstract

Antibiotic residues in drinking water can have a negative impact on both human and environmental health. However, drinking water purification processes employed in rural areas are often less complicated than those used in urban areas. The occurrence of antibiotic residues in rural drinking water and their potential effects on residents' health remains to be established. In this study, we measured antibiotic levels in rural drinking water using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), and evaluated the associated health risks based on Chinese population exposure parameters. Twenty-three antibiotics were detected in drinking water samples, of which fluoroquinolones and macrolides were the most common. The type and concentration of antibiotics in drinking water were affected both by the quality of the water source and by the water purification process used. The health risks associated with antibiotics in drinking water were within acceptable levels and likely to have little impact on human health. Of the antibiotics detected, salinomycin presented the greatest risk to human health. These findings can help to play a role in devising strategies to ensure drinking water safety.