Bolete mushroom Boletus bainiugan from Yunnan as a reflection of the geographical distribution of 210Po, 210Pb and uranium (234U, 235U, 238U) radionuclides, their intake rates and effective exposure doses

This pioneering study aimed to determine the activity concentrations of (210)-Po, Pb-210 and uranium (U-234, U-235, U-238) radionuclides in fruit bodies of wild bolete Boletus bainiugan Dentinger and to estimate its edible safety, which may give scientific evidence for the consumption of this species. The analyses were performed using alpha spectrometer after digestion, exchange resins separation and deposition. Measurement data were analysed and interpolation maps reflecting Po-210 and Pb-210 uranium (U-234, U-235, U-238) geographical distribution in Yunnan province (China) were presented. In addition, from the perspective of food safety, the possible related effective radiation dose to mushrooms consumers were estimated. The results indicated that Po-210, Pb-210 and uranium (U-234, U-235, U-238) radionuclides contents in B. bainiugan were significantly different with respect to geographical distribution, and their possible intake in a part of the region was considerably higher. A very interesting observation was done according to the values of U-235/U-238 activity ratio indicating the occurrence of uranium faction from the global fallout of nuclear weapon tests. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.