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Evaluation of radioactivity in chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) and health implications
1 , * 2 , 3
1  Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, ul. Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
2  Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
3  Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Łódź, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Łódź, Poland
Academic Editor: Virgínia Cruz Fernandes

Abstract:

The contamination, accumulation, spatial distribution, and potential health risks of cesium 137Cs, polonium 210Po, radiolead 210Pb, and potassium 40K in chanterelles collected across Poland were examined using validated methodology and gamma-ray and alpha-particle spectrometric measurements. Values of anthropogenic 137Cs activity concentration in mushrooms were between 118 and 1647 Bq∙kg-1 dry weight (dw), while for natural 40K, they were from 1316 to 1895 Bq∙kg-1 dw. The activity concentrations of 210Po in chanterelles were between 2.23 and 8.57 Bq∙kg-1 dw, and in forest topsoil, between 11.4 and 83.0 Bq∙kg-1 dw, while corresponding values for 210Pb were 1.50-6.14 and 7.74-46.1 Bq∙kg-1 dw, respectively. The obtained results varied significantly: the highest values of activity concentrations were determined for 40K, while the lowest were for 210Po and 210Pb. Studies have shown that lamellae mushrooms, such as chanterelles, may contain higher activity concentrations of polonium 210Po and radiolead 210Pb than tubular mushrooms, but a broader study is recommended. 137Cs is an anthropogenic contaminant present in the environment as a result of global atmospheric fallout. An assessment of the values of annual radiation doses and cancer risk related to 137Cs, 40K, 210Po, and 210Pb consumed with chanterelle showed that 137Cs and 210Po induce a similar risk, but 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that of 40K and 210Pb.

Keywords: radionuclide; mushroom; effective dose; cancer risk
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