Bihar Study Finds Uranium in Breastmilk: Scientific Evidence Confirms Breastfeeding Remains Safe and Essential

Experts confirm breastfeeding benefits substantially outweigh any risks from environmental exposure. (Representational)

New Delhi:

A senior scientist and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member has provided reassurance regarding a recent study that detected uranium in breastmilk samples from Bihar mothers. The scientist emphasized that these findings present no public health concern, with uranium levels detected being substantially below the World Health Organization's acceptable threshold.

Dr. Dinesh K Aswal, nuclear scientist, NDMA member, and former group director of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, stated in an exclusive NDTV interview that there is no cause for alarm. "The detected levels remain well within safety parameters. The World Health Organization's permissible limit for uranium in drinking water is nearly six times higher than what researchers observed in these samples."

Scientists from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center in Patna, Lovely Professional University, and AIIMS New Delhi conducted the Bihar study. The British journal 'Scientific Reports' published findings indicating up to 5 ppb (parts per billion) of uranium in the breastmilk samples. Dr. Ashok Sharma from AIIMS Delhi, who co-authored the research, informed ANI that they analyzed breastmilk from 40 lactating mothers and found uranium (U-238) present throughout all samples. Though 70% of infants showed potential non-carcinogenic health risk indicators, the overall uranium concentrations remained below permissible limits and would likely have minimal health impact on both mothers and infants.

While prolonged uranium exposure can cause significant health problems for infants, Dr. Sharma emphasized that the Bihar study concludes the actual health impact is probably minimal, and advised that women should continue breastfeeding their babies.

Dr. Aswal emphasized, "There is absolutely no justification for concern. Mothers can and should continue breastfeeding their children with complete confidence." The WHO safety threshold for uranium in drinking water stands at 30 ppb, six times higher than levels found in Bihar samples. Small uranium amounts occur naturally in soil worldwide. Additionally, lactating mothers excrete most consumed uranium through urine, with only minimal amounts transferring to breastmilk.

The Study

The research led by Dr. Arun Kumar from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Center indicates that groundwater uranium contamination has created serious health hazards for exposed populations in recent years. According to the study, approximately 151 districts across 18 Indian states report groundwater uranium contamination.

"The research aimed to evaluate uranium contamination in lactating mothers' breastmilk and its effect on their breastfed infants. To assess uranium exposure in infants through maternal breastmilk, researchers randomly selected 40 lactating women from various Bihar districts. After obtaining written informed consent, their breastmilk was collected and analyzed to quantify U238 levels."

"Researchers also studied carcinogenic risk (CR) and hazard quotient (HQ) for both infants and mothers to determine potential health hazards from uranium exposure. The study found that uranium exposure to infants through maternal breastmilk reached potentially hazardous levels. All analyzed breastmilk samples contained U238, which could impact infant health. Infants showed greater vulnerability to potential non-carcinogenic risks compared to their mothers due to real-time uranium elimination from their bodies. The study revealed significantly high uranium content in the breastmilk samples," the research states.

The report concluded that broader biomonitoring of uranium exposure in these regions is necessary.

Context and Scientific Basis

Breast milk remains universally acknowledged as the optimal infant nutrition source. It delivers essential nutrients, antibodies, and bioactive compounds critical for development and immune function. Global health organizations including WHO and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months initially, with continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.

This recent study, which examined trace elements in breastmilk samples, identified concentrations significantly below international safety standards.

Why This Matters

Public anxiety often increases when scientific findings lack proper context or face misinterpretation. Dr. Aswal's clarification aims to prevent misinformation from affecting maternal decisions. "Breastfeeding represents more than nutrition—it's a public health necessity. Stopping breastfeeding based on unfounded concerns could negatively impact both mother and child," he warned.

Health experts consistently agree that breastfeeding's benefits substantially outweigh any theoretical risks from trace environmental exposures. Breastfed infants experience lower rates of infections, obesity, and chronic diseases later in life. Mothers who breastfeed reduce their breast and ovarian cancer risks.

Global Perspective

The WHO's safety threshold for uranium is six times higher than levels detected in the Bihar study, providing a substantial safety margin. International research confirms that such trace presence commonly reflects background environmental levels rather than acute contamination.

Dr. Aswal emphasized evidence-based communication importance: "Scientific evidence must guide public health decisions, not fear. Our findings confirm that breastfeeding remains completely safe."