Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Delhi Isn't Just Breathing Toxic Air, But Also A Superbug That Resists Antibiotics

Delhi is not just breathing toxic air, but also a superbug through its air, which was found in a latest <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/delhi-air-pollution-could-be-carrying-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs-study-suggests-article-153406540" data-type="tilCustomLink">research </a> conducted by the researchers are Jawaharlal Nehru University, published in Nature - Scientific Reports. Apart from the heavy particulate matter or the PM2.5, which are small enough to penetrate through one's bloodstream and cause blockage, Delhi's air also contains airborne bacteria, including staphylococci. The bacteria levels exceed the safety limit by 16-fold as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

According to scientists most of these bacteria are methicillin resistant and unaffected by multiple antibiotic classes. This has raised concerns about the hard to treat and life threatening air that people are breathing in Delhi, also responsible for causing respiratory infections. While Delhi's AQI may have improved in the past few days and come down to 'very poor' from 'severe', high levels of particulate matter still put many people at the risk of aggravated asthma and cardiovascular disease. However, the added finding of the antimicrobial resistant superbug also adds a new layer of threat to residents. 

Many have left the city already due to the toxic air. Aflah Ul Haque, a 33-year-old Media and Communications PR consultant had been living in Delhi since 2017. However, in 2024, he considered to move out. While he did face difficulties to uproot himself from a metro city like Delhi, as it had become his comfort zone, it was a decision he had to take for a healthy life. Health and Me also previously reported stories of people who shifted or are actively considering shifting out of the city. Will more people consider the same move now that a superbug is found in the air? This is yet to be seen. 

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/connection-between-migration-and-pollution-people-are-leaving-city-to-be-away-from-delhis-toxic-air-article-153277517" data-type="tilCustomLink">Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic Air</a>

<h2>What Did PM Modi Say About Antimicrobial Resistance?</h2>

India is already fighting a battle with antimicrobial resistance or AMR, with the breakthrough of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/indias-new-antibiotic-in-30-years-offers-hope-against-antibacterial-resistant-infections-article-153007844" data-type="tilCustomLink">Zaynich</a>, a drug to treat AMR, there is hope, however, one still needs to be extra careful. On December 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 129th edition of "Mann Ki Baat", spoke about AMR. He pointed out that this is a matter of concern and cited data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showing that antibiotics are becoming less effective against pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He also pointed out that in India, this is a crisis due to "thoughtless and indiscriminate use of antibiotics by people". 

<h2>How Was The Study That Found Superbug In Delhi's Air Conducted?</h2>

In order to understand what people might be breathing in, the researchers collected air samples from a range of everyday locations across Delhi, such as:

<ul><li>Crowded market areas</li><li>Urban slum neighborhoods</li><li>Residential apartments</li><li>A sewage treatment plant located within the JNU campus</li></ul>

Both indoor and outdoor air samples were taken during summer, monsoon and winter to track how bacterial levels and resistance patterns shifted with the seasons.

Across every setting, airborne bacteria levels were far above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit for microbial exposure. In some winter samples, bacterial counts exceeded 16,000 colony-forming units per cubic meter, which is more than 16 times higher than the WHO guideline.

What raised even greater concern was the type of bacteria detected. Many belonged to the Staphylococcus group, which includes strains linked to skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections and illnesses commonly acquired in hospitals.

According to the researchers, a large share of the airborne bacteria were identified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), meaning they do not respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among these:

73 per cent were multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to several classes of antibiotics

Many were resistant to macrolides, beta-lactams, trimethoprim, gentamicin and other commonly used drugs

Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)

Notably, 14 out of 36 multidrug-resistant samples carried the mecA gene, a well-known marker that makes bacteria resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.

<h2>Why Is Winter Smog Linked To Drug-Resistant Bacteria?</h2>

The study showed that levels of airborne drug-resistant bacteria were highest in winter, while monsoon rains led to a sharp drop in outdoor contamination.

Researchers point to a few likely reasons:

<ul><li>Poor air movement in winter traps pollutants and microbes near ground level</li><li>High levels of particulate matter may give bacteria surfaces to cling to and spread</li><li>Cooler temperatures and lower humidity allow bacteria to survive longer in the air</li></ul>

On the other hand, rainfall during the monsoon appears to clear bioaerosols from the air, reducing bacterial concentrations outdoors.

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Delhi is not just breathing toxic air, but also a superbug through its air, which was found in a latest research  conducted by the researchers are Jawaharlal Nehru University, published in Nature - Scientific Reports. Apart from the heavy particulate matter or the PM2.5, which are small enough to penetrate through one's bloodstream and cause blockage, Delhi's air also contains airborne bacteria, including staphylococci. The bacteria levels exceed the safety limit by 16-fold as provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to scientists most of these bacteria are methicillin resistant and unaffected by multiple antibiotic classes. This has raised concerns about the hard to treat and life threatening air that people are breathing in Delhi, also responsible for causing respiratory infections. While Delhi's AQI may have improved in the past few days and come down to 'very poor' from 'severe', high levels of particulate matter still put many people at the risk of aggravated asthma and cardiovascular disease. However, the added finding of the antimicrobial resistant superbug also adds a new layer of threat to residents. Many have left the city already due to the toxic air. Aflah Ul Haque, a 33-year-old Media and Communications PR consultant had been living in Delhi since 2017. However, in 2024, he considered to move out. While he did face difficulties to uproot himself from a metro city like Delhi, as it had become his comfort zone, it was a decision he had to take for a healthy life. Health and Me also previously reported stories of people who shifted or are actively considering shifting out of the city. Will more people consider the same move now that a superbug is found in the air? This is yet to be seen. Read: Connection Between Migration And Pollution: People Are Leaving City To Be Away From Delhi's Toxic AirWhat Did PM Modi Say About Antimicrobial Resistance?India is already fighting a battle with antimicrobial resistance or AMR, with the breakthrough of Zaynich, a drug to treat AMR, there is hope, however, one still needs to be extra careful. On December 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 129th edition of "Mann Ki Baat", spoke about AMR. He pointed out that this is a matter of concern and cited data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showing that antibiotics are becoming less effective against pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He also pointed out that in India, this is a crisis due to "thoughtless and indiscriminate use of antibiotics by people". How Was The Study That Found Superbug In Delhi's Air Conducted?In order to understand what people might be breathing in, the researchers collected air samples from a range of everyday locations across Delhi, such as:Crowded market areasUrban slum neighborhoodsResidential apartmentsA sewage treatment plant located within the JNU campusBoth indoor and outdoor air samples were taken during summer, monsoon and winter to track how bacterial levels and resistance patterns shifted with the seasons.Across every setting, airborne bacteria levels were far above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit for microbial exposure. In some winter samples, bacterial counts exceeded 16,000 colony-forming units per cubic meter, which is more than 16 times higher than the WHO guideline.What raised even greater concern was the type of bacteria detected. Many belonged to the Staphylococcus group, which includes strains linked to skin infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections and illnesses commonly acquired in hospitals.According to the researchers, a large share of the airborne bacteria were identified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), meaning they do not respond to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among these:73 per cent were multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to several classes of antibioticsMany were resistant to macrolides, beta-lactams, trimethoprim, gentamicin and other commonly used drugsGenetic analysis confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)Notably, 14 out of 36 multidrug-resistant samples carried the mecA gene, a well-known marker that makes bacteria resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics.Why Is Winter Smog Linked To Drug-Resistant Bacteria?The study showed that levels of airborne drug-resistant bacteria were highest in winter, while monsoon rains led to a sharp drop in outdoor contamination.Researchers point to a few likely reasons:Poor air movement in winter traps pollutants and microbes near ground levelHigh levels of particulate matter may give bacteria surfaces to cling to and spreadCooler temperatures and lower humidity allow bacteria to survive longer in the airOn the other hand, rainfall during the monsoon appears to clear bioaerosols from the air, reducing bacterial concentrations outdoors.