A New Zealand study has raised questions over whether products like 'Round-up' are safe to use after it was found the weed-killer can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics.
The study found that exposure to commonly-used herbicides can effect the ability for antibiotics to work on E.coli and Salmonella bacteria.
The research raises concern amongst the scientific community as antibiotics become increasingly less effective in treating bacteria.
"The message from the paper is clear, we need to reconsider our use of herbicides in light of the effect that they are having on the microbial world," Senior Lecturer in Molecular Bioscience Dr Heather Hendrickson says.
The publishing of the study coincides with World Antibiotic Awareness Week which warns that the rise of antibiotic resistance could lead to a world where infections and minor injuries could kill people.
Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles was concerned by the findings that commonly used products increased resistance of the bacteria to a number of antibiotics.
"It's likely that many of the products we routinely use in our environment, our homes and on our bodies, may be contributing to making some bacteria more difficult to treat with antibiotics. With the crisis we are facing, that's a real worry."
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