Reports suggest the toxic wheat originated from Punjab, where selenium contamination has occurred before. Experts believe wheat from regions affected by selenium-rich floodwaters may have entered Maharashtra’s PDS, causing the crisis
Published Mar 07, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 07, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Synopsis: Maharashtra’s Buldhana district faces a health crisis with over 300 residents from 15 villages experiencing severe hair loss, linked to excessive selenium levels in wheat from the Public Distribution System. Investigations revealed selenium levels 145 times higher than normal, originating from Punjab. The contamination, combined with low zinc levels in affected individuals, caused the hair loss, though regrowth is possible
Maharashtra’s Buldhana district is grappling with a severe health crisis, with over 300 residents across 15 villages reporting sudden and severe hair loss. Initially feared to be the result of a mysterious ‘bald virus,’ experts have now linked the alarming phenomenon to excessive selenium levels in wheat distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Investigations have traced the contaminated wheat back to Punjab, revealing selenium concentrations 145 times higher than the normal range. The issue came to light following a month-long probe led by renowned physician Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar.
His study found 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 critically high at 13.61 mg/kg, confirming severe contamination.
Medical analysis further revealed that affected individuals exhibited abnormally low zinc levels, a crucial mineral for hair growth. Experts believe that the combination of selenium toxicity and zinc deficiency triggered the widespread hair loss. Fortunately, doctors have assured that since hair follicles remain undamaged, hair regrowth is possible.
The hair loss crisis in Maharashtra has sparked widespread concern across social media, particularly in South India, where people are questioning the safety of wheat consumption.
Speaking to South First, a food expert from a central institution in Hyderabad emphasised the need to assess wheat supply chains in South Indian states. “In Maharashtra, the contaminated wheat was supplied through the PDS under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). However, in most South Indian states, wheat is not a staple food, and its distribution through the PDS is minimal. Therefore, it is very unlikely that the South Indian population will be significantly impacted,” he explained.
The expert further pointed out that wheat consumption is considerably higher in Maharashtra and Central Indian states compared to South India. “The supply chain needs to be examined carefully to determine where all the selenium-contaminated wheat was distributed,” he added.
According to the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), rice remains the staple grain in all five South Indian states, with consumption exceeding 85 percent in all cases. Telangana records the highest monthly per capita cereal consumption at 10.18 kg in rural areas. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have the highest dependence on rice, accounting for over 90 percent of total cereal intake.
However, wheat consumption varies significantly across South India. Karnataka has the highest wheat intake, making up 13.98 percent of total cereal consumption in rural areas and 18.39 percent in urban areas. Kerala follows with 12.38 percent in rural areas and 12.68 percent in urban areas. Tamil Nadu and Telangana have moderate wheat consumption. Andhra Pradesh has the lowest wheat dependence at 5.80 percent in rural areas and 7.70 percent in urban areas.
Given this pattern, the risk of selenium toxicity through wheat is significantly lower in South India compared to Maharashtra. However, experts stress that there is a need for monitoring wheat supplies, particularly in states like Karnataka and Kerala, where wheat consumption is relatively higher.
Imagine your hair is like a beautiful garden, and each strand is like a plant growing from the soil (your scalp). Your body, just like a garden, needs the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. Selenium is like a special fertiliser—your body needs a little bit of it to keep everything growing properly.
But what happens if you pour way too much fertiliser on a garden? Instead of helping the plants grow, the excess chemicals start burning the roots, making the plants weak and causing them to wilt and die.
That’s exactly what happens when there’s too much selenium in your body! It messes up your cells, especially the ones that help your hair grow. Selenium creates harmful substances inside your body, almost like tiny fireballs that damage the roots of your hair (the hair follicles) and make them weak. This causes the hair to fall out easily.
“Selenium toxicity disrupts cellular integrity by interacting with glutathione, forming reactive compounds that oxidize cell membranes and DNA. This process can lead to cell necrosis or apoptosis, explaining the observed symptoms of hair and nail deterioration in affected individuals,” Hyderabad based Dermatologist Dr Kaushik Kumar said to South First.
He added fortunately, if exposure is stopped early, recovery is possible, as seen in previous cases where discontinuation of the contaminated source led to hair and nail regrowth.
He however, pointed out that selenium is an essential trace element necessary for various physiological functions, including reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, and DNA synthesis.
“The difference between deficiency and toxicity is very narrow. When selenium accumulates beyond safe levels, it can cause oxidative damage to cells, leading to symptoms such as hair loss, brittle nails, and even neurological issues. In cases of chronic selenium poisoning, individuals may experience hair fragility, scalp irritation, and the shedding of nails. More severe cases can result in nerve damage, peripheral anesthesia, and systemic toxicity.”
According to Dr. Reddy, the primary source of selenium intake is dietary, with meats, seafood, and cereals being significant contributors. However, the selenium content in food depends largely on the soil composition where crops are grown. “Regions with naturally high selenium in the soil, such as parts of the USA, China, and Punjab in India, have reported cases of toxicity. In the recent Buldhana case, wheat with selenium levels 145 times higher than normal was consumed, leading to widespread hair loss.”
According to a report from The Hindu, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have launched independent investigations into the outbreak. Specialists have collected blood, urine, and food samples from affected villages to determine the precise cause.
From January 14-17, a team of scientists from ICMR institutes and AIIMS Delhi visited three villages, collecting samples from affected and unaffected (control) individuals. They also gathered wheat and rice samples from affected and unaffected households, as well as from ration shops, in addition to water and soil samples. Contrary to government claims, no other food samples were collected for testing by the ICMR-AIIMS team.
An interim report submitted by ICMR to the Health Ministry on 28 January revealed that affected individuals had selenium levels about 31 times higher than the control group. Selenium content was also high in wheat samples collected from ration shops and affected households. However, despite these alarming findings, the ICMR-AIIMS team’s report has not been made public till date.
Medical analysis further revealed that affected individuals also exhibited abnormally low zinc levels, a crucial mineral for hair growth. Experts believe that the combination of selenium toxicity and zinc deficiency triggered the widespread hair loss. Fortunately, doctors have assured that since hair follicles remain undamaged, hair regrowth is possible.
Reports suggest that the toxic wheat originated from Punjab, a state with a history of selenium contamination. In the early 2000s, Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts faced similar issues due to selenium-rich floodwaters from the Shivalik mountain range contaminating agricultural fields.
Experts suspect that wheat from these regions may have inadvertently entered Maharashtra’s PDS, triggering the current crisis.
The Maharashtra government has urged the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to implement stricter quality checks on wheat supplied to ration shops. Investigators are probing whether the contaminated batch was an isolated incident or part of a larger supply chain issue, reports Business Standard.
Dr. Bawaskar, who personally spent ₹92,000 on laboratory tests, has called on the government to take immediate action to prevent further exposure to toxic grains.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
