Current radioactivity content of wild edible mushrooms: A candidate for an environmental reference material

The paper presents the results of radiological investigation of several mushroom samples collected in the fall of 2004 in different parts of Europe. The work was performed in order to support decision making to develop and produce a certified reference material for quality assurance of radionuclide measurements in environmental samples. The levels of ¹³⁷Cs in mushrooms varied widely ranging from 0.6 to 4300 Bq/kg on dry mass basis, while those of natural ⁴⁰K were relatively constant. In one sample ⁶⁰Co of unknown origin was detected (25±2 Bq/kg dry mass), while ⁹⁰Sr concentrations were usually below the detection limit (<150 mBq/kg dry mass).