CONTRIBUTION OF FUNGI TO RADIOCESIUM INTAKE BY RURAL POPULATIONS IN RUSSIA

In a study of transfer of Chernobyl radiocaesium to man, dietary surve ys and whole body monitoring were conducted at two sites in the Bryans k Region of the Russian Federation. Radiocaesium activity concentratio ns in wild food products, especially mushrooms, were higher than those in agricultural products. The surveys revealed that consumption of hi ghly contaminated wild mushrooms provided a significant contribution t o ingested radiocaesium, accounting for 20-40% of the variability of r adiocaesium activity concentrations in rural populations 8-9 years aft er the 1986 accident. Consumption of mushrooms was also the main reaso n for a 60-70% mean increase in radiocaesium activity concentrations i n humans in autumn. Long term dose assessments after accidental releas es of radiocaesium should therefore consider the potential contributio n by mushrooms to ingested dose. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B .V.