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

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 (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (Doutdoor, Dindoor), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose (AEDtotal), external and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), 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.

Distribution of Radionuclides and Radiological Health Assessment in Seih-Sidri Area, Southwestern Sinai

“…The annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) for (7 hornblende biotite gneisses; 7 biotite gneisses; 14 older granites; and 15 syenogranites) rock samples is shown in Figure 8 . The amount of AGDE produced in soil by the activity of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K is calculated as follows: [ 44 , 45 ]. AGDE values ranged from 146.48 (HG4) to 1521.51 (Sy5) µSv yr −1 , with an average value of 615.19 µSv yr −1 .…”

Examination of Medicinal Plants for Radionuclides Absorption and Their Health Implications

“…It is lower than that of Uganda (Biira et al, 2021) and is more than three times lower than that recorded in Bangladesh (Sultana et al, 2020), and Ibadan (Alade et al, 2020), but more than twice lower than that obtained in Egypt (Saudi et al, 2022). Our results demonstrate that the level of 238 U in medicinal plant samples is comparable to that reported by Kareem et al (2016) in Iraq but lower than that Saudi et al (2022) in Egypt, Sultana et al (2010) in Bangladesh, Alade et al (2010) in Ibadan, Nigeria, and Ghana (Tettey-larbi et al (2013). The findings of the 232 Th study demonstrate that our findings are comparable to those of studies conducted in Egypt and Bangladesh, respectively (Saudi et al, 2022) and Bangladesh (Sultana et al, 2020).…”

“…However, it is more than nine times lower than that found in Turkey (Cengiz & Çağlar, 2019), and four times lower than that recorded in Ghana (Tettey-larbi et al, 2013). It is lower than that of Uganda (Biira et al, 2021) and is more than three times lower than that recorded in Bangladesh (Sultana et al, 2020), and Ibadan (Alade et al, 2020), but more than twice lower than that obtained in Egypt (Saudi et al, 2022). Our results demonstrate that the level of 238 U in medicinal plant samples is comparable to that reported by Kareem et al (2016) in Iraq but lower than that Saudi et al (2022) in Egypt, Sultana et al (2010) in Bangladesh, Alade et al (2010) in Ibadan, Nigeria, and Ghana (Tettey-larbi et al (2013).…”

“…The 𝐸 𝐶𝐸𝐷 for ingestion of NORMS in medicinal plants was calculated using the expression in equation ( 8) (Saudi et al, 2022;Tettey-larbi et al, 2013):…”

“…Medicinal plants can be found in their natural state or processed (Saudi et al, 2022). Physical, chemical, and biological pollutants can be found in herbal remedies.…”