Natural and artificial radionuclide activity concentrations and dose assessments of some medicinal plants in Balikesir, Turkey

ABSTRACT

In this study, natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations were determined and radiological dose values of nine different medicinal plants {Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Holy basil (Ocimum Sanctum), Bush basil (Ocimum minimum) and Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)} used in Balikesir province from Turkey were evaluated. Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations of these medicinal plants. To evaluate radiological dose values, absorbed gamma dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), exposure dose (ER), annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), internal hazard index (H_in), external hazard index (H_ex) and gamma representative level (GRL) were determined. Mean values of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th activity concentrations are lower than the world average values, whereas mean values of ⁴⁰K activity concentrations are higher than the world average values for present medicinal plants. Lavandula x intermedia has the highest ¹³⁷Cs concentration, whilst Thymus vulgaris L. has the lowest ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration. D, Ra_eq, AGDE, ER, AED and ECLR values are the highest for Lavandula x intermedia, whilst they are the smallest for Rosmarinus officinalis L. among the studied medicinal plants. Average values of H_in and H_ex are lower than the permissible value of 1, whilst the average value of GRL is higher than permissible limit value of 1.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural radionuclides
• ¹³⁷Cs
• HPGe detector
• radiological dose values
• medicinal plants

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).