Toxic Wheat Behind Baldness in Maharashtra's Buldhana, Experts Claim

Recent cases of sudden hair loss in Maharashtra's Buldhana district have been linked to high levels of selenium found in wheat from Punjab and Haryana, according to Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, a Padma Shri awardee.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, 279 people from 18 villages suffered from alopecia, with many being young girls and college students. The condition, which caused total baldness within a few days, led to social problems such as disrupted education and challenges with arranged marriages. Some people shaved their heads to avoid embarrassment.

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Dr. Bawaskar investigated the area and found that the wheat supplied by local ration shops had much higher selenium levels than locally grown wheat. The wheat from Punjab and Haryana contained 600 times more selenium, which is believed to have caused the hair loss. Affected individuals also showed high selenium levels in their blood, urine, and hair.

Tests revealed that the wheat was not contaminated externally, but naturally contained high levels of selenium due to the soil in the wheat-growing regions. The area, known for salty, alkaline soil and droughts, depends heavily on government-supplied wheat, which had poor regulation.

Following advice to stop consuming the wheat, some affected individuals saw their hair begin to regrow after 5-6 weeks.

Experts are calling for better regulation of food supplies, especially in areas where people rely on government rations.