Maharashtra’s Buldhana district has been gripped by a health crisis, with over 300 residents across 15 villages experiencing sudden and severe hair loss. Initially feared to be a mysterious 'bald virus', experts have now attributed the cause to excessive selenium levels in wheat distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) or ration shops. The contaminated wheat, traced back to Punjab, has been found to contain selenium levels 145 times higher than the normal range. This contamination, however, has sparked significant concerns over food safety and public health, with impacted villagers experiencing hair regrowth as the crisis diminishes. The need for stringent regulations and greater awareness of food quality has now become imperative.
Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, a renowned physician, spearheaded a month-long investigation into the mass hair loss incident. His findings revealed that unwashed wheat samples contained 14.52 mg/kg of selenium, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.1 to 1.9 mg/kg. Even after washing, the levels remained high at 13.61 mg/kg, indicating significant contamination. These findings, first reported by
Times of India (ToI), provide strong evidence linking the wheat to the hair loss epidemic.
Further medical analysis revealed that affected individuals also had abnormally low zinc levels, a crucial mineral for hair growth. The combination of excessive selenium and zinc deficiency is believed to have triggered the sudden hair loss. Fortunately, doctors have confirmed that hair regrowth is possible as hair follicles remain undamaged, the newspaper says.
Meanwhile, according to a
report from The Hindu, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have also stepped in to investigate the outbreak. Experts from these institutions have collected blood, urine and food samples from the affected villages, to determine the precise cause of the condition. While preliminary reports suggest selenium toxicity, authorities are awaiting detailed analysis to confirm the findings.
According to media reports, the toxic wheat has been traced to Punjab, a state previously affected by selenium contamination. Similar incidents occurred in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts in the early 2000s, where selenium-rich floodwaters from the Shivalik mountain range contaminated agricultural fields. Experts suspect that wheat from these regions may have inadvertently entered Maharashtra’s PDS, leading to the current crisis, says a
report from Business Standard.
A high-level team led by the
Zilla Parishad's chief executive officer (CEO) has been conducting inspections in the affected villages. Medical teams from Akola and Buldhana medical colleges have been deployed to provide healthcare services and assess the full extent of the issue, a
report from Hindustan Times says.
Authorities are also analysing samples of groundwater, local food items and personal-care products to rule out any additional sources of contamination.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has urged the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to conduct stringent quality checks on wheat supplied to ration shops. Investigators are also exploring whether the contaminated batch was an isolated case or part of a broader supply chain issue, says the report from Business Standard.
This crisis highlights the urgent need for stringent quality control measures in the PDS and regular monitoring of agricultural products for contaminants. Experts have stressed that while selenium is an essential nutrient, excessive intake can lead to serious health issues, including neurological disorders and liver damage. The Buldhana case serves as a wake-up call for authorities to implement stronger food safety regulations and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Dr Bawaskar, who personally funded Rs92,000 for laboratory tests, has urged the government to take immediate action to ensure food safety and prevent further exposure to toxic grains, says the report from ToI.
With investigations ongoing and residents awaiting further medical guidance, the Buldhana hair loss crisis underscores the critical importance of food quality monitoring and public health vigilance.
