Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiological Protection
• Mycology

Background:

• Wild mushrooms are a traditional food source and important for wildlife.
• Mushrooms can accumulate heavy metals and radionuclides, posing potential health risks.
• Leccinum species are less studied regarding toxic radionuclide accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the accumulation of polonium-210 (210Po) and lead-210 (210Pb) in three Leccinum mushroom species.
• To assess the geochemical distribution of these radionuclides in soil and fungi.
• To evaluate the human health risk from consuming these mushrooms.

Main Methods:

• Collected fungal and soil samples from diverse geochemical areas in northern Poland.
• Analyzed activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in mushroom caps, stipes, and soil.
• Calculated radiation dose to consumers based on typical mushroom consumption.

Main Results:

• Heterogeneous distribution of 210Po and 210Pb observed within mushroom fruiting bodies.
• Activity concentrations ranged from 0.59 ± 0.38 to 3.2 ± 0.2 Bq 210Po kg-1 and 0.45 ± 0.04 to 3.1 ± 0.2 Bq 210Pb kg-1.
• Consumption of 0.5 kg dry Leccinum mushrooms contributed 0.90-3.81 μSv (210Po) and 0.31-2.14 μSv (210Pb) to annual effective radiation dose.

Conclusions:

• Leccinum mushrooms accumulate 210Po and 210Pb, with varying concentrations.
• The radiation dose from consuming these mushrooms is a minor component of the overall environmental exposure in the region.
• Further monitoring is recommended for wild mushroom consumption and radionuclide accumulation.