Natural Radionuclides in Pharmaceutical Clays:
Possible Health Effects

Dragana J. Todorović1, Dragana Lj. Popović2, and Gordana D. Djurić2

1 Environmental and Radiation Protection Department, Institute for Nuclear Sciences “Vinca”, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
2 Department of Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Corresponding author: Dragana Popović
    Department of Physics and Biophysics
    Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
    Bul. JA 18
    Yu-11000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia
    Telephone: + 381-11-361-54-36
    Fax number: + 381-685-936
    E-mail address: stankopo@eunet.yu

CEJOEM 2002, Vol.8. No.2–3.:232–234

Key words:
Natural radionuclides, pharmacy, clays, gamma spectrometry

Abstract:
The content of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) in the samples of clays used in pharmacy was detected by standard gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector (relative efficiency 20%). The values obtained were in the range of 58–77 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 68–97 Bq/kg for 232Th and 841–1384 Bq/kg for 40K. Radionuclide 137Cs was not detected. On average, the values were somewhat higher than those measured in clays used as raw materials in the industry of ceramics and building materials. In case of oral treatments, the intake was calculated and assessed to exceed several times the annual alimentary 226Ra and 232Th uptake.

Received:  3 July 2002
Accepted:  4 November 2002
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