Antibiotic Pollution and Infant Mortality in India: A Research Note
Christelle Dumas1, Ximena Játiva2, Stefanie Baumgartner1
1Department of Economics, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Demography
|February 9, 2026
Summary
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat. This study reveals that pharmaceutical pollution from antibiotic production significantly increases infant mortality risk in India, causing an estimated 17,000 deaths annually.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Pharmaceutical Science
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a critical global health challenge, with rising mortality rates.
- Children in low- and middle-income countries bear a disproportionate burden.
- Riverway pollution from pharmaceutical manufacturing is a known contributor to antibiotic resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between pharmaceutical pollution and infant mortality in India.
- To quantify the impact of antibiotic production facilities on local infant mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of infant mortality data in relation to proximity to antibiotic production sites.
- Statistical assessment of the increased risk of infant mortality for populations downstream of producers.
Main Results:
- Living downstream of an antibiotic producer increases infant mortality risk by 16%.
- Antibiotic production is associated with approximately 17,000 infant deaths annually in India.
- A significant negative externality of pharmaceutical production on local populations was identified.
Conclusions:
- Pharmaceutical pollution from antibiotic production poses a substantial threat to infant health in India.
- Enhanced regulatory oversight, improved manufacturing practices, and strategic site selection are crucial.
- Mitigating these negative externalities is essential for public health and environmental protection.
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