Toxic Mix: Uranium Found In Breastmilk Across 6 Bihar Districts, Study Warns Of Infant Health Risks

A recent scientific study has revealed significant levels of uranium contamination in the breastmilk of lactating mothers across six districts of Bihar. The research, which focused on mothers in Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, and Nalanda, indicates a troubling exposure pathway for infants, with the potential to cause serious non-carcinogenic health effects.

The study, conducted by the Mahavir Cancer Sansthan in Patna in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi, analysed breastmilk samples from 40 mothers. Uranium-238 was detected in all analysed samples, with Katihar recording the single-highest concentration and Khagaria showing the highest average contamination among the districts studied. Crucially, the researchers estimated

that nearly 70% of the infant population exposed through breastfeeding had the potential to face non-carcinogenic health risks.

This contamination is believed to be linked to the high presence of uranium in the state’s groundwater, which is the primary source of drinking and irrigation water for most of Bihar’s population. Previous studies have already identified elevated uranium levels in groundwater across several Bihar districts, linking this to natural geogenic sources like uranium-rich rocks and compounded by anthropogenic factors such as water table decline and long-term use of chemical fertilisers. The detection of uranium in breastmilk signals that the metal has successfully entered the food chain, reaching the most vulnerable population group—infants.

Infants are particularly susceptible to toxic metals because their organs are still developing, and their low body weight amplifies the effects of exposure. Medical experts warn that uranium contamination can lead to kidney damage, neurological impairment, and cognitive delays, alongside increasing the risk of cancer later in life.

Despite the alarming findings, the research team strongly emphasised that breastfeeding must continue, as it provides irreplaceable benefits for immunity and early development and should only be discontinued on explicit medical advice. The study indicates the need for immediate public health intervention, demanding rigorous biomonitoring, widespread water-quality testing, and a dedicated effort by state and central geological agencies to identify and mitigate the source of this hazardous contamination.