Radiocaesium activity in Polish imleria badia mushrooms: Contamination levels and trends over the last three decades

Falandysz, Jerzy, Fernandes, Alwyn R., Daragó, Adam J. and Saniewski, Michal (2026) Radiocaesium activity in Polish imleria badia mushrooms: Contamination levels and trends over the last three decades. Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny,, 77 (2). ISSN 2452-2311

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Abstract

Background: The Bay Bolete (Imleria badia Vizzini) is a prized edible wild mushroom. The fungus is unfortunately, also prone to mycelial uptake of anthropogenic radiocaesium (134/137Cs) from contaminated substrates, which accumulates in the fruiting bodies. Objective: To investigate, in light of historical atmospheric releases (including from Chernobyl) of radionuclides, the temporal and spatial distribution of radiocaesium and radiopotassium (40K) activities in this species from eleven regions of Poland over the period 1995 to 2023. Literature data on this species over the same period were reviewed to supplement and support the findings. Material and Methods. Imleria badia samples collected across eleven regions of Poland affected by radioactive fallout were determined for 137Cs and 40K activity by gamma spectrometry using a coaxial high purity germanium detector. The activity measurements were verified by using a reference solution of gamma emitting isotopes (BW/Z-62/27/07) for calibration. Results: 137Cs activity was detected in all but one sample with values ranging from < 6.4 to 11000 Bq·kg-1 dw. 134Cs activity was not detected – in line with its shorter half-life. 40K activity remained relatively stable despite the variable amounts of 137Cs activity, confirming the validity of the measurements. Conclusions: The high values of BCF calculated (up to 134) confirm the propensity of I. badia to accumulate harmful 137Cs activity. In some cases, the measured activity was above the regulatory tolerance limits set for human dietary exposure. Although individual regional sampling sites varied in number, the mean data for the regions indicated that the North Eastern part of Poland was most affected by 137Cs contamination. The temporal trend shows a decline in mean 137Cs activity from 5617 Bq·kg-1 dw in the 1990s to 1095 Bq·kg-1 dw in 2020.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	radiation exposure,chernobyl accident,bay bolete,xerocomus badius,137cs and 134cs,edible wild mushrooms,das to be completed,2026 ,/dt/atira/pure/keyword/DAStatement/das_to_be_completed
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2026 12:19
Last Modified:	29 Oct 2026 12:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/104911
DOI:	issn:2452-2311

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