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Alpha and beta radioactivity in mushrooms
Dagmara Strumińska-Parulska1, Jerzy Falandysz2
1Toxicology and Radiation Protection Laboratory, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
Advances in Applied Microbiology
|May 30, 2026
Summary
Wild mushrooms bioaccumulate radionuclides, acting as environmental pollution bioindicators. Their consumption poses risks due to varying radionuclide levels, especially from alpha- and beta-emitting isotopes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Mycology
Background:
- Mushrooms bioaccumulate elements, including radionuclides, making them potential bioindicators of environmental pollution.
- Different fungal species exhibit varying capacities for retaining natural and anthropogenic radionuclides.
- Medium and long-lived radionuclides pose significant health risks, particularly radiotoxic emitters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common natural and anthropogenic alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in wild mushrooms globally.
- To assess the potential health risks associated with mushroom consumption after pollution events.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of radionuclide accumulation in macrofungi.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on radionuclide concentrations in wild mushrooms worldwide.
- Analysis of radionuclide accumulation across different fungal species.
- Compilation of data on activity concentrations of various radionuclides.
Main Results:
- Radionuclide activity concentrations in macrofungi span nine orders of magnitude.
- Common natural and anthropogenic alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides were identified.
- Significant variations in radionuclide bioaccumulation were observed among different mushroom species.
Conclusions:
- Wild mushrooms serve as effective bioindicators for environmental radionuclide pollution.
- Mushroom consumption can represent a risk pathway for human exposure to radiotoxic elements.
- Understanding radionuclide bioaccumulation in fungi is crucial for environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
Keywords:
Alpha-emitterAnthropogenic radionuclidesBeta-emitterExposureFoodFungiNaturally occurring radionuclidesMore Related Videos
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