Experts Link Symptoms to Toxic Selenium Levels in Government-Supplied Wheat
Buldhana |
In a disturbing development, several villages in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district are now reporting cases of nail loss, just months after an unusual outbreak of sudden and severe hair loss. Experts suspect the cause to be excessively high levels of selenium found in wheat distributed through public ration shops.
The Link: Selenium Toxicity in Wheat
Renowned physician and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar has confirmed that many affected individuals have elevated selenium levels in their blood, urine, and hair samples. The wheat in question was reportedly sourced from Punjab and Haryana, where naturally occurring alkaline and drought-prone soils can lead to abnormally high selenium content in crops.
“This is not contamination, but a natural soil-related issue,” said Dr. Bawaskar.
“We’ve recorded cases of acute alopecia totalis – people losing all scalp hair within days.”
Now, residents are facing onycholysis – a condition in which nails detach from the nail bed, adding to fears and social distress in the affected areas.
Impact So Far:
-
279 confirmed cases of severe hair loss across 18 villages between December 2024 and January 2025
-
New cases of nail detachment reported over the past week
-
Affected individuals face social stigma, disrupted education, and marital complications
-
Villagers report symptoms began after consuming wheat from the ration supply chain
One resident told,
“First we lost our hair, now even our nails. We need help—fast. This is affecting our lives.”
🧬 Understanding Selenium
Selenium is an essential trace mineral required for immune and metabolic functions. However, in high doses, it becomes toxic, leading to symptoms such as:
-
Hair loss
-
Nail shedding
-
Fatigue
-
Skin lesions
-
Neurological issues
Dr. Bawaskar emphasized that selenium levels in the wheat were found to be up to 600 times higher than those in locally sourced varieties.
🛑 Calls for Urgent Action
Health experts and local leaders are urging the government to enforce quality checks on food distributed through Public Distribution Systems (PDS), particularly in rural and dependent communities. As of now, an official investigation is underway, and authorities have begun examining ration supply chains and soil samples from wheat-supplying regions.
“This is a public health emergency. Regulations must be tightened immediately,” said one health official.
This crisis serves as a wake-up call for food safety governance in India. While the PDS plays a vital role in ensuring food security, unchecked sourcing from regions with extreme soil conditions can have serious health consequences. For rural families, this is not just a dietary issue — it’s about dignity, identity, and survival.
