Imminent Health Hazard

In an alarming revelation, a group of Indian researchers have claimed to find radioactive uranium 238 in breast milk samples in Bihar, which is responsible for making infants prone to various kinds of diseases including cancer. According to the scientists, if breast milk mixed with uranium enters an infant’s stomach, it will either kill the living cells or damage the cellular environment of the body considerably. Furthermore, by crossing the blood-brain barrier of the infants, it may cause neurological malfunctioning, kidney functioning apart from weakening the immune system. The survey has been carried out in six Bihar districts and breast milk samples were collected from 40 lactating women. In other words, the presence of uranium in breast milk will make all future generations vulnerable to serious health issues as it is the main source of nourishment for newborn children because it provides essential nutrients and antibodies to support children’ growth. There is no reason to challenge the findings as earlier studies had also claimed contamination of soil and groundwater in 151 districts across India.

Beyond a doubt, the presence of radioactive material in groundwater and breast milk may soon become a serious health hazard in the country if remained unchecked. Mining, burning coal and fuel, emissions from nuclear industry along with use of phosphate fertilisers are considered as the main reasons behind radioactive contamination of soil and groundwater. As the presence of uranium has now been found in almost everywhere – from ground water to breast milk – there should be a serious rethinking on our activities so that this particular radioactive material may remain within permissible levels. It may be mentioned here that earlier states like West Bengal were faced with a similar problem when the presence of arsenic in groundwater became a serious health issue in rural Bengal. However, the state government has somehow managed to prevent the presence of arsenic in ground water from spreading further, but it has still not been able to make ground water completely arsenic-free.

The states that have been affected with elevated groundwater uranium levels are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. So, we should remain cautious on using chemical fertilisers, digging of bore wells among other activities as the dissolution of the solid mineral in groundwater can increase contamination. At the same time, the government should make a nationwide effort to ascertain the presence of uranium in ground water and in breast milk. Steps should be taken from the very beginning to neutralise the effects of poisonous elements in these two important things responsible for healthy life. It must be remembered that any leniency shown in this regard may prove to be counter-productive and we ourselves will jeopardize our future if we allow such an eventuality to happen. The crisis should be fought with the same intensity as we are doing in combating the threat of global warming; organic farming with an improved irrigation system may be the answer to prevent contamination of soil and groundwater.