An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs

Heba A. Saudi, Heba T. Abedelkader, Shams A. M. Issa, Hanan M. Diab, Gharam A. Alharshan, Mohamed A. M. Uosif, Ibrahim I. Bashter, Antoaneta Ene, M. El Ghazaly and Hesham M. H. Zakaly
Additional contact information
Heba A. Saudi: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Girls Branch), Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt
Heba T. Abedelkader: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
Shams A. M. Issa: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71524, Egypt
Hanan M. Diab: National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo 11787, Egypt
Gharam A. Alharshan: Physics Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint, Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed A. M. Uosif: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71524, Egypt
Ibrahim I. Bashter: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt
Antoaneta Ene: INPOLDE Research Center, Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 47 Domneasca Street, 800008 Galati, Romania
M. El Ghazaly: Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
Hesham M. H. Zakaly: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit 71524, Egypt

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: The specific activity of U-238 and Th-232, as well as K-40 radionuclides, in twenty-nine investigated medicinal herbs used in Egypt has been measured using a high-purity germanium (HP Ge) detector. The measured values ranged from the BDL to 20.71 ± 1.52 with a mean of 7.25 ± 0.54 (Bq kg −1 ) for uranium-238, from the BDL to 29.35 ± 1.33 with a mean of 7.78 ± 0.633 (Bq kg −1 ) for thorium-232, and from 172 ± 5.85 to 1181.2 ± 25.5 with a mean of 471.4 ± 11.33 (Bq kg −1 ) for potassium-40. Individual herbs with the highest activity levels were found to be 20.71 ± 1.52 (Bq kg −1 ) for uranium-238 (H4, Thyme herb), 29.35 ± 1.33 (Bq kg −1 ) for thorium-232 (H20, Cinnamon), and 1181.2 ± 25.5 (Bq kg −1 ) for potassium-40 (H24, Worm-wood). ( AACED ) Ingestion-related effective doses over the course of a year of uranium-238 and thorium-232, as well as potassium-40 estimated from measured activity concentrations, are 0.002304 ± 0.00009 (minimum), 0.50869 ± 0.0002 (maximum), and 0.0373 ± 0.0004 (average)(mSv/yr). Radium equivalent activity ( R aeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent ( AGDE ), absorbed gamma dose rate ( D outdoor , D indoor ), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose ( AED total), external and internal hazard index ( H ex , H in ), and excess lifetime cancer risk were determined in medicinal plants ( ELCR ). The radiological hazards assessment revealed that the investigated plant species have natural radioactivity levels that are well within the internationally recommended limit. This is the first time that the natural radioactivity of therapeutic plants has been measured in Egypt. In addition, no artificial radionuclide (for example, 137Cs) was discovered in any of the samples. Therefore, the current findings are intended to serve as the foundation for establishing a standard safety and guideline for using these therapeutic plants in Egypt.

Keywords: natural radiation; radioactive risks; medical herb; high-purity germanium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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