Nowadays, in urban water and regional streams there are highly resistant strains of bacteria. These bacteria render the new antibiotics practically useless. According to various environmental studies from Chicago metro-area there are disturbing levels of powerful bacteria strains that are derived from specific urban areas. An example of a powerful bacterium is triclosan.
Triclosan is a synthetic antibacterial chemical often added to personal body care products. Its applications vary from commercial toothpastes, mouthwashes, soaps to deodorants. Products like Dial liquid soap, Clearasil Daily Face Wash, Colgate Total Toothpaste and Old Spice Deodorant contain the synthetic triclosan. Water treatment facilities can effectively remove triclosan but in some cities triclosan can be spread into the environments causing pollution in the nearby rivers, streams and groundwater.
An experiment in Chicago's urban sources involved the monitoring of triclosan levels in 3 sites. Findings suggested that urbanisation is directly proportional with higher triclosan levels. Urban areas often rely on sewage systems that can back up during high rain fall. Chemicals like triclosan are high in urban sewage and industrial waste water so chemical overflow significantly in the surrounding environment.
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