Assessment of base line concentrations for trace elements and total alpha, beta gross for some herbs

Abstract EN

Five marked brands of drinking herbs, commonly consumed by Egyptian population were collected from local market.

Concentration of essential and toxic elements have been measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

Also, the total alpha and beta gross activities in all samples were measured using ultra low level liquid scintillation counting system (LSC).

Cinnamon was found to contain relatively high amounts of essential as well as toxic elements but the measurement using LSC revealed no detection for both alpha and beta gross activity.

The annual effective doses for different herbs were also calculated referring to the dose conversion factor (dose per unit intake) for both alpha and beta gross activity when dealing with naturally occurring radionuclides.

The study also shows that these herbs are additional source of trace heavy elements intake.