It is wiser to avoid picking mushrooms near busy roads or in urban parks, where soil may harbor heavy metals and pesticides. This concern was shared by a gastroenterologist from Hemotest Laboratory, Ekaterina Kashukh, in an interview with socialbites.ca.
“Mushrooms act like tiny sponges, soaking up substances from the ground. When their level of contaminants is high, the risk of poisoning cannot be ignored”, the doctor explained.
The expert noted that a mushroom’s tendency to accumulate harmful substances depends on its species. Laetiporus, boletes, chanterelles, and certain moss fungi are known to concentrate radioactive cesium fairly strongly. In contrast, white mushrooms and common cultivated varieties may harbor mercury, while some dark mushrooms can contain copper.
Another factor that can render even edible mushrooms hazardous is the natural aging process of the fungus itself.
“As a mushroom matures, harmful compounds can form within it. Eating such specimens raw or insufficiently cooked is not advisable,” the physician warned.
Additionally, aged fungi may harbor insect larvae, fungi and pathogens such as E. coli, staphylococci, enterococci, and streptococci. If bacteria enter the human body, a serious infection can follow.
“Proper handling and storage are essential to prevent mushroom-related poisoning. On the day of harvest, separate the mushrooms, clean them thoroughly, and boil them. After cooking, they can be stored in the refrigerator for a day, during which self-decomposition processes are slowed. Another safe option is to rinse them well, blanch, and freeze. Stored this way, they can last about a year,” Kashukh advised.
Initial signs of mushroom poisoning can appear within minutes or emerge several hours after consumption. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, more frequent bowel movements, chills, and weakness. When these symptoms appear, seeking urgent medical help is important. The gastroenterologist added that, before help arrives, attempts to induce vomiting, rinse the stomach with saline solution, and take a sorbent may be considered in some situations.
Formerly, a camp in the Leningrad region reported five young people poisoned by mushrooms.