NptII fulfils all requirements to be considered as environmental
pollutant if released as ARM gene into the tested ecosystems. In low
background level environments ARM gene derived nptIII may also
act as anthropogenic contaminant. Our conclusions are valid for
both ARM genes in context with the particular environment.
Different “ARG e environment” combinations will have to be reevaluated
on a case-by-case basis for eligibility to identify the
respective ARG as environmental pollutant. These findings should
be regarded for the risk assessment of ARM genes.