The key facts

  • Over 30 kg of dried porcini mushrooms with radiation levels more than 10 times above normal were found in the luggage of a passenger flying to Uzbekistan
  • The radionuclide cesium-137 was detected; Rospotrebnadzor declared the mushrooms radioactive waste
  • The manufacturer was issued an order, the validity of the EAEU declaration of conformity was terminated, and sales were suspended

Radiation control was triggered during luggage inspection

At Domodedovo airport, customs officers discovered a batch of dried porcini mushrooms with elevated radiation levels, the press service of the Federal Customs Service of Russia reported. The cargo, weighing more than 30 kg, was in the luggage of a 32-year-old foreign national who was traveling to Uzbekistan. The radiation control system was triggered during the luggage inspection. Inspectors opened a box and found a loose substance in a cardboard package; according to the label, it was dried porcini mushrooms of Russian production.

Background levels exceeded by more than 10 times

A test using a portable radiometer-spectrometer showed that the natural radiation background level of the contents was exceeded by more than 10 times. Primary identification revealed the radionuclide cesium-137 — an artificial radioactive isotope formed during the fission of uranium and plutonium nuclei as a result of nuclear reactions, weapons tests, and accidents at nuclear power plants. Its half-life is about 30 years. According to the FTS, high doses of the substance can cause acute radiation sickness, and prolonged exposure to low doses increases the risk of cancer.

Measures against the manufacturer

Information about the incident was passed to Rospotrebnadzor, which declared the mushrooms radioactive waste subject to disposal. According to the agency, the manufacturing company was issued an order, and a program of measures to prevent harm has been developed. The validity of the EAEU declaration of conformity for the product 'Dried porcini mushroom' has been terminated, the release of products under it has been stopped, and further sale of the goods has been suspended.