 Antibiotic contamination has been a major concern in recent years due to its potential impact on human health and ecosystems. A study conducted by researchers from China and the United States identified the presence of antibiotics in rivers around the globe, with the highest concentrations occurring in less developed regions such as Africa, South America and Asia. To address this issue, the team developed a ranking system to identify priority antibiotics based on their risk level and potential impact on river health. This ranking system was used to create a list of antibiotics that should be targeted for further investigation and mitigation efforts. This article was authored by Lee Si, Lu Yi, Wu Yong and others.