High Selenium In Wheat Behind Mass Hair Loss In Buldhana, Study Claims (image:X.com/@NikShariff92)
Mumbai, Maharashtra: The cases of sudden and severe hair loss in Maharashtra‘s Buldhana district has been a mystery for authorities and health experts. A month-long scientific investigation by Padma award-winning physician Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar found out alarming presence of selenium content in wheat distributed by local ration shops, particularly sourced from Punjab and Haryana, the reason behind huge hair loss.
At least 279 persons in 18 villages of Buldhana between December 2024 and January this year has encountered sudden hair loss. The affected persons include college students and young girls, endured significant social challenges and stigma prompted authorities to look into the matter.
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“The primary cause of the outbreak was linked to wheat imported from Punjab and Haryana, which was found to have a significantly higher selenium content than the locally produced wheat,” Dr Bawaskar said.
Adding further, he said that analysis of wheat from the affected region uncovered that it contained 600 times more selenium than the locally produced variety and this intake might be the reason for hair loss cases.
According to medical expert said that condition advanced quickly resulting total baldness within three to four days in which symptoms appeared in these villages.
“The blood, urine and hair samples showed a 35-fold, 60-fold and 150-fold increase in selenium content, respectively. This suggests that excessive selenium intake is a direct contributor to the outbreak,” Dr Bawaskar said.
At the same time, the study also observed that as excess selenium is located in the affected individuals, zinc levels were significantly low, the potential imbalance resulted in the health crisis.
The investigation has also revealed that selenium content in the wheat was not due to external contamination but it was ingrained in the crop itself. The wheat procured from Punjab and Haryana is known to possess high selenium bioavailability, the expert said.
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The residents in the region mainly relied on government-supplied wheat, hence the stronger regulation of food supplies is needed, Dr Bawaskar stated.
Authorities have instructed people to stop consumption of the selenium-rich wheat. As per the reports, in some affected persons partial hair regrowth was able to locate within 5-6 weeks after stopping the consumption of toxic wheat. Since the hair follicles remained intact, it resulted in the regrowth of their hair, it added.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi collected water and soil samples from the affected areas.
Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar is a MD of Bawaskar Hospital and Research Centre in Raigad. Padma Shri awardee medical practitioner is known for his research on scorpion bites.
