Uranium Detected in Breast Milk of Mothers in Bihar; Experts Say Breastfeeding Still Safe and Beneficial

Patna/Delhi: A new scientific study has found traces of uranium (U-238) in the breast milk of all 40 lactating mothers tested across several districts of Bihar, sparking concern about possible health risks to nursing infants.

The research, conducted jointly by institutions including AIIMS Delhi, detected uranium in every breast milk sample, with levels ranging from near-zero to a maximum of 5.25 µg/L. The highest average concentration was recorded in Khagaria district, while the single highest individual value came from Katihar district.

Despite the universal presence of the radioactive element, all measured concentrations remained well below the World Health Organisation’s provisional guideline of 30 µg/L for uranium in drinking water.

Health risk modelling showed that 70% of the infants had a Hazard Quotient (HQ) greater than 1, suggesting a theoretical possibility of non-carcinogenic effects, particularly on kidney function, neurological development, and cognitive outcomes such as reduced IQ, if exposure were prolonged.

However, lead researcher and co-author Dr Ashok Kumar Ghosh from AIIMS Delhi emphasised that the actual health impact is expected to be minimal. “The observed levels are low, and most uranium ingested by mothers is excreted through urine rather than transferred to breast milk in significant amounts,” reports stated. “Breastfeeding continues to be the best and safest source of nutrition for infants. There is no reason to discontinue it on the basis of these findings unless a doctor advises otherwise for clinical reasons.”

Dr Ghosh added that the team is expanding similar investigations to other states to screen for uranium and other heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and pesticides, in breast milk.

Uranium enters groundwater naturally from geological sources and can be exacerbated by human activities such as phosphate fertiliser use, coal burning, and mining. Bihar is among 18 Indian states where elevated uranium has been reported in some groundwater sources.

While the study highlights the need for continued monitoring and mitigation of groundwater contamination, researchers stress that the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the low risks identified in this investigation.