Spread of antibiotic resistance genes and microbiota in airborne particulate matter, dust, and human airways in the urban hospital

•Dust contained diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbes.•Airborne particulate matter contained high total relative abundance of ARGs.•Campylobacter spp. positively correlated with fluoroquinolone resistance genes.•Staphylococcus spp. positively correlated β-lactams (blaZ, mecA) resistance genes.•Microbes and ARGs in particulate matter posed high risks to patient airways.