4 ms·

I'm intrigued by the mention of farmers growing crops in contaminated areas. Presumably the soil has detectable levels of radioactive isotopes, but is there any

I'm intrigued by the mention of farmers growing crops in contaminated areas. Presumably the soil has detectable levels of radioactive isotopes, but is there any evidence that this is taken up into the crops themselves? Same with the harvesting of fish or fungi in these zones... is there evidence that they contain harmful contaminants? If so, would they be medically significant? The essay seems to imply that this stuff is irresponsible, but doesn't really delve into specifics. Full disclosure: I've done a lot of construction work in the nuclear power industry, so I'm pretty familiar with radiation, contamination, and their effects. A lot of contamination events result in exposure that is statistically insignificant (e.g. eating a banana would result in more exposure), but there are certainly more harmful forms. My admittedly limited understanding is that a lot of the areas surrounding Chernobyl have detectable, but not really harmful levels of radiation. I'm just a layman, so I'm hoping more informed folks can fill me in!

Loughla 11y ago
There was a documentary on either PBS or NPR in the last year or so specifically about harvesting plants and fungi in the disaster area. I can't find it now, but the overall idea was that it would be a really bad idea to eat meat, worse to eat the plants and grains, and just an overall terrible idea to eat the fungus. This: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_hunting#Radiation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_hunting#Radiation Is the only thing I could find regarding mushrooms specifically. I wish I could find that documentary. Essentially, mushrooms are really good at accumulating radioactive particles through their mycelium.
- industriousthou 11y ago
  Wow, the uptake of caesium-137 in mushrooms was something I was not aware of. That's really interesting, as I thought it was something that mostly just bio-accumulated in higher-order predators. I might just be mixing it up with mercury though. Thanks for the response!

Loughla 11y ago

There was a documentary on either PBS or NPR in the last year or so specifically about harvesting plants and fungi in the disaster area. I can't find it now, but the overall idea was that it would be a really bad idea to eat meat, worse to eat the plants and grains, and just an overall terrible idea to eat the fungus. This: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_hunting#Radiation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom_hunting#Radiation Is the only thing I could find regarding mushrooms specifically. I wish I could find that documentary. Essentially, mushrooms are really good at accumulating radioactive particles through their mycelium.

industriousthou 11y ago
Wow, the uptake of caesium-137 in mushrooms was something I was not aware of. That's really interesting, as I thought it was something that mostly just bio-accumulated in higher-order predators. I might just be mixing it up with mercury though. Thanks for the response!