How Nazi could WW2 Germany be? Groundwater contamination and biomagnification 65 per cent of infants tested had elevated arsenic levels in their urine, with only 50 per cent of the arsenic being expelled from their bodies.

Study finds high arsenic levels in staple foods in 11 Bihar districts, links it to groundwater contamination

Contamination across food chain posing escalating health crisis, with infants and rural communities at greatest risk, say Patna institute researchers

Mohd Imran Khan

Published:26th Dec, 2024 at 4:34 PM

Arsenic contamination, long a concern in Bihar’s water supply, has now been detected at alarming levels in staple foods such as rice, wheat and potatoes, posing significant health risks to thousands, particularly in rural areas.

Groundwater contamination and biomagnification

The study also highlighted significant arsenic contamination in groundwater, which is a key source of irrigation in these regions. Out of 513 groundwater samples taken from hand pumps, 450 were within the permissible limit of 10 µg/L, while the highest recorded arsenic level was 550.7 µg/L.

The study identified a direct link between arsenic-contaminated staple foods, such as rice, wheat and potato and elevated arsenic levels in human blood. The researchers noted that the arsenic biomagnification through the food chain was the first such finding reported in these 11 districts of Bihar.

“The excessive arsenic content in the blood of the population studied is due to the consumption of contaminated rice, wheat and potatoes,” Kumar explained. “This contamination is even reaching infants through breast milk, putting them at a very high risk.”

Also read:Arsenic: Lurking in the shadows across Ganga, Brahmaputra basins

Infants at risk 

The study revealed that 55 per cent of exposed lactating mothers had arsenic concentrations in their breast milk exceeding WHO’s permissible limit. Furthermore, 65 per cent of infants tested had elevated arsenic levels in their urine, with only 50 per cent of the arsenic being expelled from their bodies.

The remaining arsenic was found to accumulate in vital organs such as the brain, liver and kidneys, potentially leading to severe health issues.

The findings challenge earlier studies suggesting that arsenic methylation during pregnancy and breastfeeding protects infants. The study warned that children consuming arsenic-laden breast milk are at risk of long-term health complications and urgently require medical intervention.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/amp/story/health/study-finds-high-arsenic-levels-in-staple-foods-in-11-bihar-districts-links-it-to-groundwater-contamination