Measurement of activity concentrations for 137Cs and 40K in edible wild mushrooms collected from Mangshi, Yunnan province and evaluation of dose to adults

Abstract

Objective To determine the activity concentration of radionuclides for 137Cs and 40K in edible wild mushrooms,and to evaluate the extent of radioactive contamination and ingestion doses to adults from consumption of these wild mushrooms.Methods A total of 33 samples for 18 edible wild mushroom species were collected from natural forest Mangshi,Yunnan province.The activity concentrations of 137Cs and 40K were analyzed by using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry.Results Except.for one sample that was below the MDA,137Cs artificial radionuclides were detected in other 32 samples,with activity concentration of 137Cs in the range of 0.45-339.58 Bq/kg (dry weight) and an average of 25.47 Bq/kg (dry weight).In regards to 40K in edible mushrooms,all species presented the activity concentrations for this radionuclide and the levels varied from 453.4 to 1 882.6 Bq/kg (dry weight),with an average of 815.1 Bq/kg (dry weight).After species of mushroom with only one sample were eliminated,there was significant difference for 137Cs(F =21.13,P ＜ 0.05) among 6 species of mushroom named Gomphus floccosus (Schw.) Sing.,Boletus edulis bull,Boletus edulis bull,Tylopllus bolloul (Peck) Sing.,Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.and Boletus brunneissimus W.F.Chin,but without significant difference for 40K.Conclusions These 6 different mushroom species have different capacity to retain radionuclides of 137Cs in soil.These wild mushrooms,such as Gomphus floccosus (Schw.) Sing.and Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing.have large affinity ability for radionuclides137Cs.The effective dose to adults attributable to consuming these kinds of mushrooms is small and below the level that could cause harm. Key words: Wild mushroom; 137Cs; 40K; Gamma spectrometry