Two scientists have recently studied two advanced waste water filtration systems to see how effectively they remove antibiotics from animal manure. Anaerobic degradation and reverse osmosis were tested and the scientists found that neither did a very satisfactory job of removing antibiotics from the solid remains of the manure. In fact, these remains had higher levels of the antibiotics than the regular manure. This is important because these antibiotics being released in the environment are causing more drug resistant strains to emerge. Luckily the scientists are optimistic about composting as a possible way to help rid the solids of the antibiotic particles.

Key Takeaways:

• Antibiotics do not seem to go away as easily in the environment as once thought.
• For instance, manure still contains it, and unless properly treated will then leach into the environment.
• This can be even greater as the processed manure can be sold to users thinking it is safe and organic.

“Many waste treatment systems — including those for handling municipal wastewater, hospital waste and manure — do not factor in treatment of antibiotics.”

Read more: https://www.feedstuffs.com/news/nh-topline-remnants-antibiotics-persist-treated-farm-waste