Estimation of natural radioactivity of some medicinal or herbal plants used in Kars, Turkey

Abstract

In Natural radioactive materials may be existing in the environmental substances that have uses in pharmacy and medicine as health supplements. In this study, natural radionuclides such as226Ra,232Th, and40K were measured in seven medicinal or herbal plants collected from the local market in Kars, Turkey were analysed. All samples were analysed by means of gamma-ray spectrometer using NaI(Tl) detector. The radioactivity concentrations were found to vary in the range of 16.39±2.2 to 32.76 ±3.5 Bqkg-1 for226Ra, 19.74±3.7 to 85.01±5.6 Bqkg-1 for232Th, and from 795.82±9.8 to 1056.28±14.4 Bqkg-1 for40K. Rosehip showed the lowest activity concentrations of226Ra,232Th and40K, while rumex patientia showed the highest activity concentration of40K. In this research study, we aimed to determine the activity concentrations of radionuclides in medicinal plants and provide useful information to carry out a dose assessment to be exposed to people using medicinal plants for healing various diseases.