Presence of Uranium-238 in breast milk
Why in news?
A 2025 study analyzed breast milk from 40 lactating mothers across six Bihar districts (Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, and Nalanda), finding U-238 in 100% of samples, with concentrations ranging from trace levels up to 5.25 µg/L.
Reasons Uranium in breast milk
- Mothers drink contaminated groundwater with high uranium levels from rocks like granite.
- Crops grown in uranium-rich soil absorb it, passing through food to mothers.
- Human activities like mining, coal burning, and phosphate fertilizers add more uranium to water and soil.
Health Implications for Infants
- Uranium harms kidneys, causing long-term damage since babies can't remove it easily.
- It affects brain growth, leading to low IQ, learning delays, and behavior issues.
- 70% of studied infants face non-cancer risks like mental health problems, though levels stay below safe limits.
- Babies get exposed as uranium crosses into milk, but mothers mostly pass it out in urine.
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