Is breast milk dangerous for babies? Uranium found in breast milk, report sparks uproar
According to Ashok Sharma, if a child consumes milk contaminated with uranium, there could be various health effects. He says that a child's memory, IQ, physical development, and kidney function could be affected.
A new debate has erupted after uranium (U-238) was found in breast milk during a study in some districts of Bihar. The question now is: is breast milk dangerous for babies?
However, the country's top scientists have stated that the uranium levels are so low that they will not significantly affect children's health.
It should be noted that this study was conducted in Bihar's Bhojpur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar, and Nalanda districts, which had previously reported uranium levels.
The study was conducted between October 2021 and July 2024. Milk samples from 40 mothers were collected, and all showed traces of uranium. Khagaria had the highest average levels, and Katihar had the highest individual levels.
What does the study report say?
Speaking to TV9 Bharatvarsh, Dr. Ashok Sharma, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at AIIMS Delhi, said that for the study, breast milk samples from 40 mothers aged 17 to 35 were analyzed.
The uranium analysis was conducted at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Hajipur, Vaishali.
What harm can uranium cause?
According to Ashok Sharma, if a child consumes uranium-contaminated milk, it can have various health effects. He says that a child's memory, IQ, physical development, and kidney function may be affected.
High uranium levels can also increase the risk of cancer. However, the levels in the current study report are so low that the risk is minimal. Therefore, breastfeeding is the safest and best nutrition for children.
The likelihood of serious harm is extremely low
However, according to this study report, the likelihood of serious harm is extremely low. This is because most uranium is excreted from the body through urine.
According to the study, the levels found in milk ranged from 0 to 5.25 micrograms/liter, which is well below the WHO standard of 30 micrograms/liter, which is six times higher. He said that this study is not a cause for concern. Mothers should continue breastfeeding their children without any concerns.
What is this uranium after all?
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element found naturally in the Earth's soil, rocks, and water. It is a heavy metal used primarily in nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.
Dr. Sharma explained that the Indian government is running the Jal Shakti Mission, which aims to provide safe drinking water to every household, ensuring that all families have access to clean drinking water free of such heavy metals.
He said that this study not only raises public awareness but also helps the government formulate better policies. However, the government is working hard on this issue. The Indian government is very sensitive to this issue and is doing a lot of work.
What is the way to escape?
Regarding how we can prevent this, Dr. Sharma explained that once it's discovered that groundwater contains uranium, stop drinking it and consume the clean water provided by the government.
Also, maintain your hygiene and schedule regular health checkups. This ensures that if a problem is detected early, it can be resolved quickly.