In 1986 the Chernobyl disaster spewed out tonnes of radioactive fallout into the air, which eventually spread and settled across Europe. Radioactive Caesium - 137 is still settling in Württemberg (South West Germany), and has reached levels that have resulted in some low-level contamination of wild mushrooms, including truffles. Boars that have foraged on the affected fungi in Southern Germany have been found to be too radioactive for human consumption. Last year two to four thousand wild boars were found to have reached this level of contamination; an increase from just 125 - 250 only a decade ago. Truffles and mushrooms are also known to be contaminated in other eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Romania, and have been exported for human consumption. This is obviously a concerning trend and those in the industry as well as consumers may be wondering how to ensure the safety of their products.

In response to this situation, MSL Analysis has launched a range of testing services to check truffles, mushrooms and soil for radioactive contamination. If you are concerned about this matter or have any plant health concerns of your own please seewww.MSLAnalysis.com or contact shop@mycorrhizalsystems.com Tel: 01422 844095.