Plastic litter is causing dangerous pathogens to breed in rivers

The polymer, wood and water samples collected by the scientists contained a number of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. The plastic and wood contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas species. These are generally safe for a healthy person, but can be deadly for those with weakened immune systems. In the water they found already more dangerous Salmonella and Streptococcus.

In addition, all of the microbes identified were resistant to antibiotics.