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USDA Develops Quick Field Test For Toxic Mushrooms

Candace Bever/USDA
Which is which? Trick question; they're ALL death cap.

It's a good idea not to eat any mushrooms you pick, unless you're an expert or have access to one.  Dozens of people die every year because they mistake poisonous mushrooms for the edible kind. 

Now the Agricultural Research Service of the federal Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a test that can identify toxic mushrooms in the field, within minutes.  Candace Bever is a microbiologist with USDA in California; she joins us with details of the test.

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.