## Colophon tags:: url:: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece %% title:: Buldhana hair loss cases: Expert report blames high selenium in wheat type:: [[clipped-note]] author:: [[@thehindu.com]] %% ## Notes > Buldhana hair loss cases: Expert report blames high selenium in wheat — [view in context](https://hyp.is/xt5ObvM2Ee-cTcf2X8OX1Q/www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece) ⬆️ date:: [[2025-02-25]] > "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," the Padma Shri awardee doctor said."Our analysis of wheat from the affected region revealed that it contained 600 times more selenium than the locally grown variety. This high selenium intake is believed to be the cause of the alopecia cases," he said.The condition developed rapidly, with total baldness occurring within three to four days of the symptoms onset in these villages, the medical expert said. — [view in context](https://hyp.is/zzuorvM2Ee-LjWO5CJGx_g/www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece) > The investigation also found a marked increase in selenium levels in the blood, urine and hair of the affected individuals, he said."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."Our team also found that zinc levels were significantly lower in the affected individuals, pointing to a potential imbalance caused by the excess selenium," he said. — [view in context](https://hyp.is/2d4xPPM2Ee-xh7O5SGiOog/www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece) > Further examination of the wheat indicated the selenium content was not a result of external contamination but was inherent in the grain itself, the expert said, adding that wheat from Punjab and Haryana is known to have high selenium bioavailability. — [view in context](https://hyp.is/_DCRbPM2Ee-wXyP0AZSXww/www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece) > No significant contamination was found in the wheat samples from ration shops of the area, he said. — [view in context](https://hyp.is/IAQ7XPM3Ee-wsQuQeNkSSQ/www.thehindu.com/news/national/buldhana-hair-loss-cases-expert-report-blames-high-selenium-in-wheat/article69260787.ece) ⬆️ did they mean to say "other ration shops in the area" - since the first paragraph says "*Incidents of sudden hair loss in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, which made national headlines, are linked to high selenium content found in wheat from Punjab and Haryana supplied by local ration shops, as per a medical expert's report.*"