¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in wild boar meat may still exceed the permitted levels

Abstract

The radiocaesium activity concentration may still remain high in natural products such as game meat, wild mushrooms, and forest berries even more than two decades after the Chernobyl accident. The results of regular control studies of game meat conducted in Poland showed wild boars as the most contaminated game animals. It is well documented that some mushrooms, readily consumed by animals, show high ability to accumulate caesium radioisotopes. Bay bolete, one of the most wide-spread mushroom species in Poland, reveals a unique radiocaesium accumulation feature. Moreover, deer truffle, containing also particularly high levels of radiocaesium, could be another radionuclide source for wild boars. Furthermore, animals consuming deer truffles could digest contaminated soil components. Among 94 wild boar meat samples analysed in [2008][2009], two exceeded the permitted level. Hence, some precautions should be taken in the population with an elevated intake of wild boar meat. Moreover, since each hunted wild boar is examined for the presence of Trichinella larvae, regular measurements of radiocaesium concentrations in these animals may be advisable for enhancing consumer safety.

Levels of caesium-137 in food of animal origin in Poland

“…Because game species derive nutrition from forests, of all the matrices studied, wild game muscle tissue represents a unique group in terms of its potential for uptake of radioactive caesium-137 from the environment. Similarly to Zalewski and Szymczyk-Kobrzyńska ( 29 ), Rachubik ( 18 , 19 ) and Vilic et al ( 27 ), we found the phenomenon of samples with high activities in these animals’ samples, sometimes exceeding the current permissible limits under the regulations. As shown in Table 2 , 59% of the tested samples of this matrix showed activities above the MDC.…”

“…In addition, calculations were performed to assess the radiation dose from 137 Cs for food consumers in Poland. A factor of 1.3 × 10 −8 Sv Bq −1 was used to convert the dose per kg of body weight (9,18). The committed effective dose coefficient for 137 Cs was defined by the equation defined by the equation:…”

Caesium-137 in the muscles of game animals in 2015-2022 – levels and time trend

“…Examples of such mushrooms in Poland are the brown bolete ( Xerocomus badius ) and deer truffle ( Elaphomyces granulatus ), which may be a source of radionuclides for wild boar ( 9 ). Moreover, animals eating deer truffles may ingest contaminated soil components ( 26 , 27 ). The concentration of radioactive isotopes in food products should at most match the values specified in the Decree by the Council of Ministers of the Government of the Republic of Poland of April 27, 2004, which states that the maximum permissible levels in food products cannot exceed 1,250 Bq/kg ( 14 ).…”