Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27 -- The recent revelation that measurable traces of uranium have been found in the breast milk of mothers in parts of Bihar has jolted public-health discourse across Eastern India.

Given that uranium reserves, and by implication, uranium-bearing geology, are present in several districts of Odisha, experts have warned that similar environmental and public-health risks cannot be ruled out entirely.

A landmark survey by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration & Research (AMD) in 2008 discovered uranium traces in multiple districts across Odisha- Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj and Jajpur.

Particularly in Sundergarh and Sambalpur, the survey identified uranium at 19 and...