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Radiocesium Concentrations in Mushrooms Collected in Kawauchi Village Five to Eight Years After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Summary

This research examined radiation levels in wild mushrooms near the Fukushima nuclear accident site 5-8 years after the disaster. While radiation levels in mushrooms often exceeded safety limits, the actual radiation exposure from eating these mushrooms was found to be relatively low and safe according to international standards. Impact on everyday life: – Helps local residents make informed decisions about wild mushroom consumption – Demonstrates the long-term environmental effects of nuclear accidents – Shows the importance of continued food safety monitoring in affected areas – Provides evidence for setting appropriate safety guidelines – Supports community recovery through scientific data and risk communication

Background

Following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011, radionuclides such as iodine-131, cesium-134 and cesium-137 were released into the environment. Kawauchi village, located within 30km of the plant, was the first area to have residents return after evacuation. The village was previously known for wild mushroom collection, making it important to monitor radiocesium levels in local mushrooms.

Objective

To evaluate the follow-up radiocesium contamination in wild mushrooms collected from 2016 to 2019 (5-8 years after the accident) in Kawauchi Village and assess the potential radiation exposure risk to local residents from mushroom consumption.

Results

76% of mushroom samples (260 of 342) exceeded the regulatory limit of 100 Bq/kg for radiocesium. Median concentrations of Cs-137 ranged from 80-1,006 Bq/kg across the study period. Radiocesium concentrations were significantly higher in symbiotic species compared to saprophytic species. The median committed effective dose from mushroom ingestion ranged from 0.0025-0.110 mSv per year across different years and age groups.

Conclusion

Although radiocesium continues to be detected in mushrooms 5-9 years post-accident with levels frequently exceeding regulatory limits, the estimated radiation exposure from consumption remains below 1 mSv per year. Long-term monitoring of radiocesium in wild mushrooms should continue to support community recovery and risk communication efforts.
  • Published in:PLOS One,
  • Study Type:Environmental Monitoring Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239296
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