More attention must be paid to the role pollution plays in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as superbugs, to eliminate a “pandemic level threat," according to a new United Nations report. Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, occurs when bacteria, viruses or other infectious organisms develop a resistance to medications. Bacteria can become resistant after coming into contact with contaminated water or land. TRENDING STORIES See All Premium US says China's military involved in spy balloon's incu . . . Premium How recently launched Bard made Google lose a whopping . . . Premium ‘Green’ funds cost three times more than you think Premium CCI approves NIIF's stake purchase in Hindustan Ports The UN report highlights three industries — pharmaceuticals, agriculture and health care — for the roles they play in emitting harmful pollutants that aid the development of AMR. “Getting serious about AMR means preventing environmental pollution," said Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme. “Limiting the discharge of antimicrobial-laced waste to the environment is important for everyone — because every sector is guilty of adding to the AMR burden. " Among its recommendations, the report calls for pharmaceutical companies to upgrade manufacturing processes in a way that reduces runoff from products; farmers to avoid using certain antibiotics; and hospitals to consider on-site treatment of antimicrobial pollutants in wastewater. By 2050, AMR could be responsible for up to 10 million deaths each year, according to estimates referenced in the report. A separate study by the World Bank in 2017 found the problem could also lead to the world losing more than $3 trillion of its annual GDP by 2030. The UN report highlights recent studies that show a connection between increases in AMR with climate change and biodiversity loss. Factors ranging from the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air to changes in soil diversity potentially influence how antibiotic resistance spreads, according to studies cited. “Significant momentum on AMR has developed," Andersen said. “Investment in new and affordable antimicrobials and other preventative measures should grow, but we must stop the pollution at the source to ensure this superweapon retains its power. " MORE FROM THIS SECTION See All Premium Premium New ring discovered around small, icy world in our sola . . . Premium Premium As rocket launches take off, so do concerns about emissions Premium Premium Study finds link between cancer patients and long Covid . . . Premium Premium How the Turkey-Syria earthquake occurred: Behind the sc . . . The report also notes that lower-income countries are among the most affected by AMR due to its links with poverty, lack of sanitation, poor hygiene and pollution. This means the problem can only effectively be tackled by considering how solutions might impact poorer communities, according to Jason Burnham, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “How enforcement is implemented is important in a global context to ensure marginalized communities don’t suffer," he said. Catch all the Business News , Market News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates. More Less OPEN IN APP.