Radioactive contamination of Polish mushrooms

The results of a 5-year investigation on the radioactive contamination of mushrooms are presented. More than 400 samples of various mushrooms species have been examined for γ-emitters. Some samples have also been analysed for strontium-90 and plutonium isotope content. Maps of caesium-137, caesium-134 and potassium-40 activities, based on the measurements of 278 samples of Xerocomus badius collected in 1991 throughout Poland are presented. The highest measured activity of caesium-137 was 157 kBq/kg dry mass (Xerocomus badius). A dosimetric interpretation of the observed contamination levels is proposed.