Uranium found in breast milk in 6 districts of Bihar: Study

A study has revealed a significant presence of uranium (U238) in breast milk across six districts in Bihar, raising serious health concerns for the exposed infants. The heavy metal in human body can lead to low IQ, deteriorated neurological development and several mental health issues.

The study titled “Discovery of uranium content in breast milk and assessment of associated health risks for mothers and infants in Bihar” was conducted in Begusarai, Katihar, Samastipur, Bhojpur, Khagaria and Nalanda districts, and Katihar was found to have had the highest presence of U238 among all.

Poses serious health risks

The study said breast milk samples of 40 lactating mothers, aged between 17 and 35, had significant uranium contamination

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The heavy metal in human body can lead to low IQ, deteriorated neurological development and several mental health issues, it added

Forty mothers, aged between 17 and 35, took part in the research conducted by Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre (Patna), AIIMS (Delhi), Geological Survey of India, Ranchi, and the University of Petroleum Energy and Studies, Dehradun, among others.

Stressing the infants' exposure to uranium through breast milk was significantly high, the study called for the need for bio-monitoring of U238 in the affected regions at a broader level.

In recent years, the contamination of groundwater with uranium (U238) has posed serious health hazards. Groundwater in as many as 151 districts in 18 states have been found contaminated with the heavy metal. About 1.7 per cent of groundwater sources are contaminated in Bihar.

“Various studies have reported the presence of uranium in groundwater in certain districts of Bihar. There are 11 districts that reported uranium poisoning -- Gopalganj, Saran, Siwan, East Champaran, Patna, Vaishali, Nawada, Nalanda, Supaul, Katihar and Bhagalpur. The potential contamination of breast milk with uranium highlights the urgent need for further research and public health intervention. Hence, the present study aims to estimate the uranium exposure in the subjects inhabiting the Gangetic plains of Bihar for the first time,” the study stated.

There is no standard for permissible levels of uranium in breast milk. However, the WHO sets a provisional limit of 30 micrograms per litre for uranium in drinking water. Germany has set a stricter standard of 10 micrograms per litre. The study, however, stated that breast milk samples of 40 lactating mothers had significant uranium contamination but had very little impact on the health of mothers and infants.

“The entire study indicates that U238 contamination in breast milk could pose health concerns among the exposed infants and it can lead to low IQ, deteriorated neurological development and many mental health issues. Moreover, the evidence presented supports the statement that 'all the samples had the uranium contents'. However, the reported concentrations are below the permissible limits hence, there could be least significant health threat from uranium exposure,” the study said.