“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.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.No significant contamination was found in the wheat samples from ration shops of the area, he said.”The region where the outbreak occurred is known for its salty, alkaline soil and recurrent droughts, which have affected agricultural productivity.Many families rely on government-subsidised wheat from ration shops, which have been poorly regulated for quality,” Bawaskar stated in his report.”The wheat supplied to the affected villages was sourced from the regions with high selenium content, contributing to the health crisis,” he added.Bawaskar said the outbreak highlights the need for stronger regulation of food supplies, particularly in areas where residents depend on government-provided rations.Meanwhile, after the authorities asked people to stop consumption of the selenium-rich wheat as a preventive measure, some people have reported partial regrowth of hair within 5-6 weeks.
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