Comparative study of the environmental impact of antibiotics and bacteriophages strategies. Qualitative approach based on life cycle analysis methods.

Overview & Synopsis

This study presents a comparative analysis of the environmental impact of antibiotics and bacteriophages using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The aim of the research is to evaluate and compare the potential environmental consequences associated with the production, use, and disposal of these two types of antimicrobial agents. Preliminary findings suggest that antibiotics and bacteriophages differ significantly in their environmental profiles. While antibiotics are administered in multiple doses, phages only require one dose to treat a similar bacterial infection. This fundamental distinction is expected to contribute to variations in resource consumption, emissions, and waste generation between the two groups. The production of bacteriophages is not made at an industrial scale, which gives us much more freedom in our choices, whereas for bacteria, we had to rely on models dating back to the 1970s. Indeed, antibiotic manufacturers do not share manufacturing data. We acknowledge that this comparative study was conducted under certain limitations. The availability of comprehensive and specific data pertaining to the life cycles of both antibiotics and bacteriophages was scarce, which posed challenges in accurately quantifying their environmental impacts. Despite these limitations, this study aims to provide initial insights into the potential differences in environmental performance between antibiotics and bacteriophages, highlighting the need for further research and data collection to strengthen the validity of the findings, especially at an industrial scale in the case of bacteriophages. The outcomes of this comparative study could constitute a first step towards providing valuable insights for decision-makers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, as well as environmental policymakers. By understanding the environmental implications of antibiotics and bacteriophages, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding the selection and promotion of antimicrobial strategies that align with sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.