Glowing Mushrooms Can Be Used to Detect Radiation - Apparently.
Glowing mushrooms have been found in areas contaminated with radiation, including the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site. The mushrooms, specifically the jack o'lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius), contain a toxin that makes them glow in the dark, but also react with radioactive isotopes, making them a potential tool for detecting radiation. In 2013, a team of scientists in the Czech Republic used the mushrooms to map radiation levels in a contaminated area, highlighting their potential as a low-cost, non-invasive method for detecting radiation.