Home / Health / Breastfeeding Safe Despite Uranium Traces
Breastfeeding Safe Despite Uranium Traces
23 Nov
Summary
- Uranium in Bihar breastmilk is far below WHO safety limits.
- Study found uranium in all 40 breastmilk samples analyzed.
- Experts emphasize breastfeeding benefits outweigh minimal risks.
Recent findings indicating uranium in breastmilk samples from Bihar have been addressed by experts who emphasize that the levels detected are well within safe limits. Nuclear scientist Dr. Dinesh K Aswal stated that the concentration is far below the World Health Organization's (WHO) permissible threshold for drinking water, which is six times higher than observed levels.
The study, involving 40 lactating mothers in Bihar, found uranium (U-238) in all samples. While a potential non-carcinogenic risk was noted for infants, scientists involved highlighted that the overall impact is expected to be minimal. This is consistent with the understanding that tiny amounts of uranium are naturally present in soil worldwide and mostly excreted by mothers.
Health authorities are reiterating the critical importance of breastfeeding, citing its immense benefits for infant nutrition and immunity. They aim to prevent misinformation that could lead mothers to discontinue breastfeeding due to unfounded fears, reinforcing that continuing to breastfeed is safe and recommended.




