Study Reveals High Levels of Radiation in Wild Boars in Germany
A recent study conducted by researchers from Leibniz University and the Vienna University of Technology has uncovered unexpectedly high levels of radiation in wild boars roaming the forests of Bavaria in southern Germany. The findings, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, shed light on the source of the radiation and provide insight into why the wild boar population is more contaminated compared to other wildlife in the region.
Scientists have long been aware of lingering radiation from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Central Europe. However, the new study suggests that the radiation found in the tissue of wild boars in Bavaria comes from nuclear weapons tests conducted in the mid-20th century, prior to the Chernobyl meltdown. The researchers believe that the boars’ consumption of deer truffles, a type of fungus rich in radiation, contributes to their higher contamination levels.
The study utilized a method involving the analysis of the ratio of two cesium isotopes in boar carcasses. The researchers examined boars killed by hunters across Bavaria from 2019 to 2021. While German health guidelines permit the consumption of boar meat with radiation levels below 600 becquerels per kilogram, some of the tested boars had contamination ranging from 370 to 15,000 becquerels per kilogram.
The study’s findings also highlight the long-lasting impact of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted by nuclear powers, including the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union. More than 500 atmospheric tests were conducted before nuclear powers shifted to underground detonations to minimize the spread of radioactivity.
The persistence of radiation from these tests, particularly in comparison to the Chernobyl disaster, is a noteworthy discovery. The researchers’ use of cesium isotopes as a method to identify the source of radiation shows promise for future studies in the field of radiation research.
According to Professor Georg Steinhauser, the lead researcher of the study, the role of deer truffles in the wild boar’s higher contamination levels plays a crucial part in the mystery. These fungi, located inches below the Earth’s surface, have the unique ability to store radiation effectively. Due to their proximity to radioactive water sources, which contain traces of radiation from both nuclear tests and the Chernobyl disaster, deer truffles become a concentrated source of radiation.
While wild mushrooms can also absorb radiation, the study reveals that the specific behavior of boars in consuming deer truffles sets them apart from other wildlife in the region. The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection confirms that certain wild mushrooms can reach radiation levels of over 1,000 becquerels per kilogram but deems them safe for consumption in limited quantities.
Regardless of the source, Martin Steiner from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection emphasizes that high levels of radiation pose a risk to humans. He highlights the importance of monitoring the total intake of cesium-137, regardless of whether it originates from weapons tests or the Chernobyl accident.
As the study contributes new insights into the persistence of radiation in Central Europe, further research and monitoring will be crucial to understand and address potential risks associated with the consumption of contaminated wild boar meat and other food sources from the region’s forests.