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210Po and 210Pb Bioaccumulation and Possible Related Dose Assessment in Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)

Summary

This research examined how parasol mushrooms accumulate naturally occurring radioactive elements from the environment. The study found that while these mushrooms do accumulate radioactive polonium and lead, the levels are safe for human consumption. Impacts on everyday life: • Confirms the safety of consuming wild parasol mushrooms from a radiation perspective • Helps monitor environmental radiation levels through mushroom analysis • Contributes to food safety guidelines for wild mushroom consumption • Provides data for environmental contamination assessment • Helps understand how radioactive elements move through food chains

Background

Polonium-210 (210Po) and Lead-210 (210Pb) are naturally occurring radionuclides that significantly contribute to radiation doses in populations. These elements are introduced into the biosphere through various terrestrial and marine pathways and are continuously deposited from the atmosphere. Many edible fungi can accumulate metallic elements and radioisotopes at elevated concentrations compared to other vegetable foods, even when growing in unpolluted soil.

Objective

The study aimed to determine 210Po and 210Pb content in fruiting bodies of parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera), calculate 210Po/210Pb activity ratios, recognize radionuclide distribution, estimate possible annual effective radiation doses, and evaluate their radiotoxicity levels.

Results

Activity concentrations of 210Po in dried caps ranged from 3.38 to 16.70 Bq∙kg−1, while 210Pb ranged from 5.11 to 13.42 Bq∙kg−1. The highest concentrations of both radionuclides were found in samples from Kartuzy. Most mushrooms contained more 210Po than 210Pb, with 210Po/210Pb activity ratios ranging from 0.43 to 2.56. Annual effective radiation doses from consumption were calculated at 2.03-10.02 μSv for 210Po and 1.60-4.63 μSv for 210Pb.

Conclusion

The parasol mushroom accumulated 210Po and 210Pb at different levels depending on various factors including soil properties and air deposition. The 210Po/210Pb activity ratios above 1 in most samples suggested preferential accumulation of 210Po. Based on calculated annual effective radiation doses, the analyzed mushrooms were deemed safe from a radiological perspective.
  • Published in:Environmental Science and Pollution Research International,
  • Study Type:Environmental Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1007/s11356-017-0458-4
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