MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

210Po and 210Pb in King Bolete (Boletus edulis) and Related Mushroom Species: Estimated Effective Radiation Dose and Geospatial Distribution in Central and Eastern Europe

Summary

This research examined radioactive elements in wild edible mushrooms from Poland and Belarus to assess their safety for human consumption. The study found that while these mushrooms do contain naturally occurring radioactive materials, the levels are low enough to be safe for eating. Impact on everyday life: – Confirms the safety of consuming wild mushrooms from studied regions – Provides data for environmental monitoring of radioactivity – Helps inform food safety guidelines and regulations – Contributes to understanding environmental distribution of natural radioactive elements

Background

Dried mushrooms are relatively rich in mineral constituents but can contain radioactive elements that pose potential health risks. 210Po and 210Pb from the uranium decay chain are among the most radiotoxic isotopes. The family of Boletus fungi includes many edible species collected worldwide, with King Bolete (Boletus edulis) being particularly prized in temperate forests.

Objective

To evaluate the occurrence, distribution within fruiting bodies, and possible consumer risk from 210Po and 210Pb accumulation in Boletus edulis, B. pinophilus, B. reticulatus, B. luridus and B. impolitus mushrooms. Additionally, to create interpolation maps characterizing the spatial occurrence of both nuclides in boletes across Poland.

Results

The activity concentrations showed heterogeneous distribution, with 210Po ranging from 0.91 to 4.47 Bq∙kg−1 dry biomass and 210Pb from 0.82 to 5.82 Bq∙kg−1. No significant differences were found between mushroom species or between caps and stipes. Northern and northeastern regions of Poland showed higher contamination levels.

Conclusion

The studied Boletus species accumulate 210Po and 210Pb at varying concentrations with non-uniform spatial distribution. Consumption would result in a combined radiation dose of 10 µSv∙kg−1 dry biomass, which is not significant compared to total annual radiation doses from other sources. These mushrooms are considered radiologically safe for human consumption.
  • Published in:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
  • Study Type:Environmental Research Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijerph18189573
Scroll to Top