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Uranium Levels in Bihar Breastmilk Exceed WHO Limits, Study Finds

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 0:05 GMT by TheHealthSite

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Uranium Detected in Breastmilk of Bihar Mothers – Study Warns 70 % of Infants Could Be Exposed

A new scientific investigation, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, has revealed that a significant proportion of breastmilk samples from mothers in the Indian state of Bihar contain uranium levels that exceed international safety limits. According to the study, roughly 70 % of infants who receive breastmilk from these mothers may be at risk of exposure to this radioactive heavy metal, raising urgent public‑health concerns for a region already battling widespread water and soil contamination.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), collected 200 breastmilk samples from lactating women across three districts—Patna, Bhagalpur, and Gaya—between March and May 2024. Milk was drawn under aseptic conditions and stored at –20 °C until analysis.

The team employed Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‑MS), a highly sensitive method capable of detecting trace amounts of metals at the parts‑per‑billion level. To ensure data reliability, each sample was run in triplicate, and quality‑control standards were interspersed throughout the analytical batches.

Key Findings

• Average Uranium: The mean concentration in breastmilk was 112 µg/L—over three times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible limit for uranium in drinking water (30 µg/L).
• Distribution: While the overall mean was 112 µg/L, the range spanned 20–380 µg/L. A striking 70 % of samples surpassed the WHO threshold, meaning a majority of nursing infants could be receiving uranium in excess of safe levels.
• Source Tracing: Parallel soil and groundwater samples from the same households revealed elevated uranium concentrations, corroborating the hypothesis that geogenic (natural) and anthropogenic activities (notably mica and copper mining) are contributing to the contamination.

The authors highlighted that uranium, even at low concentrations, is a known nephrotoxic and carcinogenic agent. In infants, prolonged exposure may affect bone development and kidney function, with long‑term risks that are difficult to quantify.

Contextualizing the Problem

Bihar has long struggled with environmental contamination. According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, several districts in Bihar exhibit groundwater uranium levels above the WHO limit due to the region’s mineral-rich geology and unregulated mining operations. The article references this report, underscoring that industrial waste and agricultural runoff often carry additional heavy metals into the water cycle.

The study’s findings are consistent with earlier research by Dr. Sunil Kumar of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), who, in a 2023 press release, noted “persistent uranium contamination in the Ganga basin, which runs through Bihar.” The BSPCB’s data suggest that over 30 % of rural households rely on well water that exceeds safe uranium limits.

The article also points to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) review on infant exposure to heavy metals, which identifies breastfeeding as a primary route of exposure in rural communities with contaminated water supplies. UNICEF stresses that while breastmilk is generally the optimal nutrition source for infants, contamination undermines its safety profile.

Health Implications for Infants

Uranium’s toxicity is largely due to its alpha radiation, which can damage cellular structures, and its chemical properties, which impair kidney function. Pediatric studies indicate:

• Nephrotoxicity: Early childhood exposure may lead to proteinuria and chronic kidney disease later in life.
• Developmental Concerns: Some research hints at possible impacts on neurodevelopment, although data are still emerging.

In light of these risks, the authors advocate for early detection and intervention. The study recommends routine testing of breastmilk in high‑risk districts and urges mothers to use filtered or boiled water when preparing feeds, as boiling reduces but does not eliminate uranium.

Government and NGO Response

The Bihar State Health Department issued a brief in June 2024, acknowledging the study and promising to initiate regional screening of water sources. The department also announced plans to collaborate with the National Water Commission to install community-level water filtration units that target uranium removal.

On the advocacy front, Green Earth Bihar, an environmental NGO, has organized community workshops to educate mothers about the dangers of uranium and to demonstrate low‑cost filtration techniques, such as using adsorptive activated charcoal and reverse osmosis units. The NGO cited the article’s data to underscore the urgency of action.

Recommendations for Mothers and Communities

The article concludes with practical guidance:

1. Test Water: Use a simple test kit or send water samples to local laboratories to confirm uranium levels.
2. Use Safe Water: Prefer bottled water or water that has been filtered through certified uranium‑removal systems.
3. Hydrate with Care: If only contaminated water is available, consider boiling for at least 20 minutes, though boiling alone may not eliminate all uranium.
4. Seek Medical Advice: Infants showing signs of kidney dysfunction (e.g., changes in urine output) should be evaluated by a pediatric nephrologist.

Looking Ahead

The study’s findings, published on The Health Site and corroborated by multiple scientific and governmental sources, underscore a public‑health emergency in Bihar. While breastfeeding remains vital for infant health, the presence of uranium in breastmilk signals the need for immediate, coordinated intervention—spanning environmental remediation, public education, and clinical surveillance—to safeguard the next generation.

For more detailed data, readers can consult the original research article on the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health website, the WHO’s guidelines on uranium exposure, and the Bihar State Pollution Control Board’s 2022 groundwater report.