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A new scientific study has raised red flags over the presence of uranium in the breastmilk of lactating mothers across six districts of Bihar, indicating potential health risks for infants who rely exclusively on breastmilk during their early months of life. The research, published in Scientific Reports, is the first assessment of uranium contamination in breastmilk in the Gangetic plains of Bihar — a region already known for toxic exposure to heavy metals like arsenic, lead and mercury.
DISTRICT-WISE VARIATION
The study mapped uranium levels district by district. The data tables revealed that Khagaria bore the highest average burden. The decreasing order of mean exposure to uranium [U238] contamination is: Khagaria > Samastipur > Begusarai > Katihar > Bhojpur > Nalanda.
-Katihar recorded the highest single peak uranium concentration at 5.25 g/L.
-Khagaria showed the highest mean (average) contamination level at 4.035 g/L.
-Nalanda had the lowest mean concentration at 2.354 g/L.
Spatial maps in the study visually establish uranium spread across these districts, hinting at underlying hydrogeochemical patterns and environmental sources.
The researchers analysed breastmilk samples from 40 lactating mothers between 17 and 35 years of age, selected from Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, and Nalanda. Every participant provided informed consent, and detailed interviews were conducted to understand breastfeeding practices, child growth, and residential history. The study was conducted by teams from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan & Research Centre (Patna), Lovely Professional University, NIPER-Hajipur, and other collaborating institutions.
ALL SAMPLES CONTAINED URANIUM
One of the most striking findings is stated clearly in the paper: “The present study reports 100% lactating mothers having their breastmilk highly contaminated with uranium.”
Although the concentration varied from sample to sample, every single breastmilk sample showed detectable uranium (U-238), with values ranging up to 5.25 g/L. While no international body has set an official permissible limit for uranium in breastmilk, the presence of any radioactive heavy metal in infant food sources is considered a matter of health concern.
INFANTS FACE HIGHER RISK THAN MOTHERS
To understand how uranium exposure might affect babies, the researchers assessed how much uranium infants may ingest through breastmilk. Using a Monte Carlo simulation (a statistical technique that ran 10,000 iterations to predict risk scenarios), the analysis showed that about 70% of the infants were at risk of developing non-cancer health effects if exposure continued.
The study notes that “infants are highly vulnerable... in comparison to their mothers” because their organs are still developing, their body weight is low, and they cannot flush out uranium as efficiently. Because of this, even small amounts of uranium can have a proportionally larger impact on infants.
SHOULD MOTHERS STOP BREASTFEEDING?
Despite alarming findings, the study strongly cautions against any abrupt shift away from breastfeeding. The authors state: “It is also recommended to emphasise that breastfeeding is the optimal method for infant nutrition, and its discontinuation should only occur based on clinical indication.” They note that breastmilk offers unmatched nutritional and immunological benefits, and the uranium levels detected, while concerning, do not warrant stopping breastfeeding without medical advice.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The study concludes with a call for:
-Statewide biomonitoring of uranium contamination
-Regular groundwater testing
-Public health advisories, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women
-Further research into uranium mobility in water, soil, and food chains
-Safer water access, including filtration methods capable of removing uranium (e.g., RO systems)
The authors stress that: “There is also a need for biomonitoring of U238 in these regions at a broader level.”
GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN
Bihar has already faced headlines for arsenic, lead, and mercury contamination in the past decade, with several studies — including some by the same research team — reporting heavy metal exposure in both mothers and infants.
This latest uranium study underscores a recurring theme: the environmental burden on Bihar’s families, especially in rural districts where groundwater is the lifeline.
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DISTRICT-WISE VARIATION
The study mapped uranium levels district by district. The data tables revealed that Khagaria bore the highest average burden. The decreasing order of mean exposure to uranium [U238] contamination is: Khagaria > Samastipur > Begusarai > Katihar > Bhojpur > Nalanda.
-Katihar recorded the highest single peak uranium concentration at 5.25 g/L.
-Khagaria showed the highest mean (average) contamination level at 4.035 g/L.
-Nalanda had the lowest mean concentration at 2.354 g/L.
Spatial maps in the study visually establish uranium spread across these districts, hinting at underlying hydrogeochemical patterns and environmental sources.
The researchers analysed breastmilk samples from 40 lactating mothers between 17 and 35 years of age, selected from Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, and Nalanda. Every participant provided informed consent, and detailed interviews were conducted to understand breastfeeding practices, child growth, and residential history. The study was conducted by teams from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan & Research Centre (Patna), Lovely Professional University, NIPER-Hajipur, and other collaborating institutions.
ALL SAMPLES CONTAINED URANIUM
One of the most striking findings is stated clearly in the paper: “The present study reports 100% lactating mothers having their breastmilk highly contaminated with uranium.”
Although the concentration varied from sample to sample, every single breastmilk sample showed detectable uranium (U-238), with values ranging up to 5.25 g/L. While no international body has set an official permissible limit for uranium in breastmilk, the presence of any radioactive heavy metal in infant food sources is considered a matter of health concern.
INFANTS FACE HIGHER RISK THAN MOTHERS
To understand how uranium exposure might affect babies, the researchers assessed how much uranium infants may ingest through breastmilk. Using a Monte Carlo simulation (a statistical technique that ran 10,000 iterations to predict risk scenarios), the analysis showed that about 70% of the infants were at risk of developing non-cancer health effects if exposure continued.
The study notes that “infants are highly vulnerable... in comparison to their mothers” because their organs are still developing, their body weight is low, and they cannot flush out uranium as efficiently. Because of this, even small amounts of uranium can have a proportionally larger impact on infants.
SHOULD MOTHERS STOP BREASTFEEDING?
Despite alarming findings, the study strongly cautions against any abrupt shift away from breastfeeding. The authors state: “It is also recommended to emphasise that breastfeeding is the optimal method for infant nutrition, and its discontinuation should only occur based on clinical indication.” They note that breastmilk offers unmatched nutritional and immunological benefits, and the uranium levels detected, while concerning, do not warrant stopping breastfeeding without medical advice.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
The study concludes with a call for:
-Statewide biomonitoring of uranium contamination
-Regular groundwater testing
-Public health advisories, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women
-Further research into uranium mobility in water, soil, and food chains
-Safer water access, including filtration methods capable of removing uranium (e.g., RO systems)
The authors stress that: “There is also a need for biomonitoring of U238 in these regions at a broader level.”
GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN
Bihar has already faced headlines for arsenic, lead, and mercury contamination in the past decade, with several studies — including some by the same research team — reporting heavy metal exposure in both mothers and infants.
This latest uranium study underscores a recurring theme: the environmental burden on Bihar’s families, especially in rural districts where groundwater is the lifeline.
Uranium detected in breastmilk samples in Bihar, 70% of infants at risk: Study
A recent study flagged the presence of uranium in the breastmilk of lactating mothers across several districts in Bihar.
