But their sheer number of daily occupants while cruising at 30,000 feet may present a major public health opportunity. Researchers used advanced molecular screening methods to examine the genetic structures of any potential superbugs with antibiotic resistance genes. The presence of antibiotic resistant genes also varied across each aircraft’s country of origin, possibly due to regional antibiotic use, population density, public health policies, and water sanitation among other factors. Although not the rosiest of news, the upshot is that it revealed aircraft wastewater can remain a reliable source of public health information for an extended period of time. “By monitoring aircraft wastewater, we can potentially detect and track antibiotic resistance genes before they become established in local environments.”