210Po and 210Pb bioaccumulation and possible related dose assessment in parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)

Abstract

Presented are results of a study on accumulation and distribution of 210Po and 210Pb in the fruitbodies of parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) and risk to human consumer due to exposure from highly radiotoxic decay particles emitted by both radionuclides. Mushrooms were collected from 16 forested places in central and northern regions of Poland. Activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were determined after radiochemical separation of nuclides and subsequent measurement using validated method and alpha spectrometer. Results showed on spatially heterogeneous distribution of the 210Po and 210Po activity concentrations in M. procera and two interpolation maps were prepared. Activity concentrations of nuclides in dried caps of M. procera were in the range from 3.38 ± 0.41 to 16.70 ± 0.33 Bq∙210Po ∙kg−1 and from 5.11 ± 0.21 to 13.42 ± 0.30 Bq∙210Pb ∙kg−1. Consumption of M. procera foraged in central and northern Poland should not contribute significantly to the annual effective radiation doses from 210Po and 210Pb due to amount of both nuclides accumulated by fungus in caps.

Isotopes of 210Po and 210Pb in Hazel bolete (Leccinellum pseudoscabrum) – bioconcentration, distribution and related dose assessment

“…Although Guillén and Baeza ( 2014 ) stated the most important feature in polonium accumulation in mushrooms was its species, our results confirmed previous observations (confirmed by inter-species studies)—the most important aspects in 210 Po and 210 Pb distribution are local climate and geological conditions, e.g., atmospheric fallout, geological structure, natural radioactivity (Vaaramaa et al 2009 ; Gwynn et al 2013 ; Strumińska-Parulska et al 2016 ; Strumińska-Parulska and Olszewski 2018 ; Szymańska et al 2018 ). Besides, in the forest area, the trees might decrease the influence of wet and dry deposition on soils and mushrooms (Kirchner and Daillant 1998 ; Strumińska-Parulska et al 2017 ).…”

“…The L. pseudoscabrum due to the BCF values below unity (BCF < 1) is considered as excluder of 210 Po and 210 Pb, similarly to other mushrooms studied so far such as Leccinum sp. and parasol mushroom ( Macrolepiota procera ) (Strumińska-Parulska et al 2016 , 2017 ).…”

“…It was not possible to differentiate these processes that impact on the DR value. The BCFs and DRs were calculated using presented formulas (Baeza et al 2006 ; Strumińska-Parulska et al 2016 , 2017 ): …”

“…Among the persistent radionuclides, the most often studied in mushrooms is 137 Cs, the artificial gamma emitter coming from the nuclear weapons use and testing and from nuclear power plant accidents, and the second is natural 40 K (Mietelski et al 2010 ; Steinhauser et al 2014 ; Chatterjee et al 2017 ; Cocchi et al 2017 ; Prand-Stritzko and Steinhauser 2017 ; Tuo et al 2017 ). Other radionuclides and some extremely toxic, mainly alpha emitters compounds, i.e., 210 Po, 210 Pb, 234,238 U, 228,230,232 Th, 238 Pu, and 239 + 240 Pu, which are much more laborious to study are with much less data in mushrooms (Mietelski et al 2002 ; Vaaramaa et al 2009 ; Guillén and Baeza 2014 ; Strumińska-Parulska et al 2016 , 2017 ; Szymańska et al 2018 ).…”

Is human hair a proper 210Po and 210Pb monitor of their increased activity in the human body?

“…It should be clear, the lack of statistical difference between both groups is probably related to a small sample size (number of people eating much more seafood products than statistical amount). Some previous studies showed there are some food products estimated as insignificant, that might be an important source of 210 Po and 210 Pb [61][62][63][64][65][66]. The activity concentrations of 210 Pb for analyzed groups were in the range of 1.40 ± 0.11 and 49.6 ± 1.48 Bq kg −1 dry wt.…”