Uranium Found In Breastmilk Samples In Bihar; Infants At Risk, Shares Study

A new scientific study in Bihar has raised several red flags across the state over the presence of Uranium in the breastmilk of lactating mothers. The study took place across 6 different districts of Bihar and indicated potential health risk for infants who rely exclusively on breastmilk during the early months of their lives. This research, published in Scientific Reports, is the first assessment of contamination of uranium in breastmilk along the Gangetic plains of Bihar, a region that is already well-known for toxic exposure to heavy metals like lead, arsenic and mercury.Read More: India’s DIY Danger: How Self‑Medicating with Antibiotics Is Fueling a Silent Health Tsunami The study states that in recent years, groundwater uranium [U238] poisoning

has posed serious health hazards in the exposed population of Bihar. In India, roughly 151 districts and 18 states have reported groundwater uranium contamination while about 1.7% of these groundwater sources are affected in the state of Bihar. This study happened in Bihar with the objective to evaluate the uranium contamination in the breastmilk of lactating mothers who were feeding their children and the breastfed infants as well. To evaluate this, 40 lactating women were selected randomly from different districts of Bihar and their breastmilk samples were collected to be analysed for quantification of U238.

Along with this the infants and the mothers’ carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also studied in order to uncover and understand the potential health hazard effects of uranium. The uranium exposure was found to be at a hazardous level. All the analysed breastmilk samples found U238 contents which could pose health impacts to the infants. The infants in this case are highly vulnerable to potential non-carcinogenic risk in comparison to their motion due to the real-time uranium elimination from thei body. The study also reveals that the uranium content found in the breastmilk was significantly high. The 70% of the infant population had the potential to cause non-carcinogenic health effects. From the studied districts, Katihar breastmilk samples had the highest U238 content.

Effects of uranium on both infant and mother

While uranium is popularly known for its radioactivity, its chemical toxicity is of great immediate concern, especially so for infants. The study explains how infants are absorbing heavy metals more readily than adults due to low body weight and underdeveloped organs. Here is why uranium in breastmilk is concerning:

• Constant uranium exposure can pose several potential consequences for infant health including nephrotoxicity or long-term kidney damage
• Uranium may also end up affecting neurological development and later lead to cognitive and behavioural problems in kids
• It can also potentially increase the risk of developing cancer later in life
• Uranium has the ability to cross both the blood-brain and placental barriers and end up potentially harming brain development.
• Researchers and scientists also mention broader literature that shows how uranium can interfere with bone growth, immune system development and motor skills later in life.

However, in a recent interview with a media outlet, nuclear scientist Dr. Dinesh K Aswal, a member of NDMA and former group director of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, mentioned that the study's findings are no cause for concern. He said "The levels detected are well within safe limits. In fact, the World Health Organization's permissible threshold in drinking water is nearly six times higher than what has been observed."Read More: This Silent Poison In Your Home Could Be Killing Your Heart, According To Study