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No Need for Alarm: Expert Reassures Public on Uranium Levels in Bihar Breastmilk Study

Patna, Bihar – Concerns raised by a recent study that detected uranium in breastmilk samples from lactating mothers in Bihar have been addressed by a senior scientist, who asserts that the findings pose no immediate public health risk.

The study, published in the journal ‘Scientific Reports,’ found up to 5 parts per billion (ppb) of uranium in breastmilk samples collected from 40 mothers across different districts of Bihar. While the study indicated a potential non-carcinogenic health risk for 70% of infants analyzed, the researchers emphasized that overall uranium levels were below permissible limits and were expected to have minimal actual health impact on both mothers and infants. The study, led by Dr. Arun Kumar of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center, Bihar, suggests that in recent years, groundwater uranium poisoning has posed serious health hazards to the exposed population. In India, an estimated 151 districts and 18 states are reported with groundwater uranium contamination, it states. The report recommends broader biomonitoring of uranium exposure in the region.

Nuclear scientist Dr. Dinesh K Aswal, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and former group director of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, stated in an exclusive interview with NDTV that the levels detected are “well within safe limits.” He further clarified that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible threshold for uranium in drinking water is nearly six times higher, at 30 ppb, than the levels observed in the Bihar breastmilk samples.

“There is absolutely no reason for alarm,” Dr. Aswal emphasized. “Mothers can and should continue to breastfeed their children without hesitation.” He explained that trace amounts of uranium are naturally present in soil worldwide, and most uranium consumed by lactating mothers is excreted through urine, with only a negligible amount making its way into breastmilk.

The scientist’s reassurance aims to counter potential misinformation that could discourage breastfeeding, which health organizations universally recognize as the optimal source of infant nutrition, providing essential nutrients and antibodies. Experts agree that the benefits of breastfeeding significantly outweigh hypothetical risks from trace environmental exposure, offering protections against infections, obesity, and chronic diseases for infants, while reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers for mothers.

This situation underscores the importance of evidence-based communication in public health, ensuring that scientific findings are presented with context to prevent unnecessary anxiety and encourage informed decision-making regarding maternal and child health.

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