According to the study, long-term uranium exposure could potentially affect kidney development, neurological growth, cognitive abilities, and mental health in children, including lowered IQ or developmental delays.
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Bihar is facing a silent health concern that has caught the attention of scientists and health experts alike. A very recent study has revealed that breast milk from mothers across several districts in the state contains significant levels of uranium (U-238). This is a naturally occurring radioactive element. The findings however do not call for mothers to stop breastfeeding. But they highlight potential risks to infants particularly if exposure continues over time.
The study carried out by researchers from multiple institutions examined breast milk samples from 40 lactating women across different districts of Bihar. The results were startling: every single sample contained uranium with the highest levels recorded in Katihar district and the highest average contamination in Khagaria.
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Dr. Ashok Sharma, a co-author from AIIMS Delhi, told ANI, “Our research found uranium in all 40 breast milk samples. While 70% of infants showed potential non-carcinogenic health risks, the overall uranium levels were still below permissible limits. Therefore, the actual health impact on mothers and infants is expected to be minimal.”
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Uranium is naturally present in rocks such as granite and can seep into groundwater over time. Human activities like mining, coal combustion, nuclear industry operations, use of phosphate fertilizers can increase its presence in the environment. Infants are especially vulnerable because their bodies are not yet efficient at eliminating these heavy metals.
According to the study, long-term uranium exposure could potentially affect kidney development, neurological growth, cognitive abilities, and mental health in children, including lowered IQ or developmental delays.
Dr. Sharma explained, “Even though some infants had hazard quotient (HQ) values above 1, indicating possible health risks, the actual uranium levels in breast milk ranged from 0 to 5.25 micrograms per litre. Most uranium comes through the mother’s urine, not concentrated in breast milk.”
Despite these findings, health experts emphasise that breastfeeding remains the best source of nutrition for infants.
“Unless there is a specific clinical reason, mothers should continue to breastfeed,” Dr. Sharma added. “The benefits of breast milk far outweigh the potential risks posed by uranium at the levels we observed.”
The study also calls for further research. “We are planning similar investigations in other states to understand the presence of heavy metals and their potential effects on human health,” Dr. Sharma noted.
Past research has identified arsenic, lead, mercury in breast milk and future studies will also look into pesticides and other environmental contaminants.
Uranium contamination in groundwater has been reported in 151 districts across 18 states in India, with about 1.7% of Bihar’s groundwater affected. Globally, countries such as Canada, the United States, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Bangladesh, China, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and areas in the lower Mekong Delta have reported elevated uranium levels in water sources.
Despite the prevalence, visible clinical symptoms of uranium exposure have not been consistently observed. Nonetheless scientists agree that continuous monitoring is crucial.
The World Health Organization (WHO) sets a provisional limit of 30 micrograms per litre for uranium in drinking water whereas some countries, including Germany, have stricter standards of 10 micrograms per litre.
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