Report

Residents of Maharashtra’s Buldhana district have been struck by a sudden and severe hair loss outbreak, leaving health authorities and experts searching for answers. A recent investigation by Padma Shri Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar suggests toxic wheat contaminated with high levels of selenium as the potential cause. His month-long study revealed that wheat distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) contained dangerously elevated selenium levels and a severe zinc deficiency.

Wheat Samples Contain Alarmingly High Selenium Levels

Dr. Bawaskar’s investigation analyzed wheat samples from the affected areas, revealing that they contained 600 times more selenium than locally grown wheat. “Our analysis detected selenium levels of 14.52 mg/kg, far exceeding the normal 1.9 mg/kg,” he reported. He believes this excessive selenium intake is behind the rapid onset of alopecia, with many individuals losing all their hair within just three to four days of symptoms.

The wheat, sourced exclusively from Punjab, was tested at Thane’s Verni Analytical Lab, which confirmed the dangerously high selenium levels. Blood, urine, and hair tests from affected individuals showed a 35-fold increase in blood selenium, a 60-fold increase in urine, and a 150-fold increase in hair selenium. These findings point to selenium toxicity as the likely cause. Additionally, the study uncovered a significant zinc deficiency among those affected, suggesting an imbalance caused by the excess selenium.

Wide-Ranging Impact Across 18 Villages

Between December 2024 and January 2025, approximately 300 people across 18 villages in Buldhana began experiencing severe hair loss. The affected individuals, including many young girls and college students, saw their hair fall out at an alarming rate. Some even became completely bald. The age range of those affected varied from 8 to 72 years old. The crisis has led to social stigma, with children abandoning school and several arranged marriages being disrupted.

Dr. Bawaskar Calls for Action, No Official Report Yet

Despite these concerning findings, Dr. Bawaskar has not yet submitted a formal report to local authorities. Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has collected water and soil samples from the region, which also showed elevated selenium levels in the blood of affected individuals. ICMR has submitted a preliminary report to the central government, though its details remain undisclosed.

Government’s Cautious Response

While the evidence strongly suggests selenium toxicity, the government has not yet officially linked the contaminated wheat to the hair loss outbreak. A Food Ministry official pointed out, “No such reports have come from other states.” Punjab, which supplies nearly 47% of the total wheat distributed under the PDS, contributed 128 lakh tonnes last season. The wheat in question is part of the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, a scheme that provides free food grains to eligible families.

Ongoing Investigations into Potential Causes

The situation has prompted local authorities to closely monitor the health crisis. Junior Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav, who represents Buldhana, assured the public that the situation is “under control.” He confirmed that ICMR and other agencies are investigating the cause of the health issues. “While selenium is present in many foods, some wheat samples have shown unusually high selenium levels. However, it’s too early to definitively link this to hair loss. We are also exploring other possible causes, including contaminated water and nutritional deficiencies,” Jadhav explained.

Source: India Today