The activity concentrations 40-K, 137-Cs, 210-Pb and effective dose of ingestion of the radionuclides in selected medicinal herbs from the region of Majdanpek

Lekovite biljke imaju dugu istoriju upotrebe širom sveta u tradicionalnoj medicini. MeĎutim, njihova upotreba, kao i upotreba biljnih proizvoda mora se kontrolisati,kako bi se izbegla pojava neţeljenih efekata na zdravlje ljudi. Specifične aktivnosti radionuklida 40K, 137Cs i 210Pb u uzorcima lekovitih biljaka izmerenesu pomoću poluprovodničkog HPGe spektrometarskog sistema, na osnovu čega je odreĎena prosečna godišnja efektivna doza ingestije za odrasle koji piju dnevno 200 ml čaja pripremljenog od lekovitih biljaka. U radu je prikazana radiološka analiza 7 odabranih lekovitih biljaka sa područja Majdanpeka. Dobijene vrednosti za efektivnu dozu ingestije slične su vrednostima objavljenim u drugim studijama i manje su od 100 μSv, što upućuje na zaključak da svakodnevna upotreba čajeva od analiziranih lekovitih biljaka sa područja Majdanpeka ne predstavlja značajan radiološki rizik po zdravlje.Medicinal plants have a long history in traditional medicine worldwide. However, their use, as well as the use of plant products, must be controlled in order to avoid the occurrence of undesirable effects on human health. Specific activities of radionuclides 40K, 137Cs and 210Pb in samples of medicinal plants were measured using a semi-conductor HPGe spectrometer system. The average annual effective dose for adults due to daily ingestion of 200 ml herbal infusion prepared from medicinal plants is determined. In this paper a radiological analysis of 7 selected medicinal plants from the area of Majdanpekis presented. The values obtained for an effective dose of ingestion are similar to the values published in other studies and are less than 100 μSv, suggesting that the daily use of herbal infusions from analyzed medicinal plants from the Majdanpek area does not represent a significant radiological health riskProceedings: [http://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/8681]XXX симпозијум ДЗЗСЦГ (Друштва за заштиту од зрачења Србије и Црне Горе), 2- 4. октобар 2019. године, Дивчибаре, Србиј

Determination of radionuclide concentrations in soil and black walnut leaves and fruit using gamma-ray spectrometry

This study showed that 137Cs concentrations in black walnut leaf and fruit, as well as in tinctures were below the detection limits. Concentrations of other radionuclides are lower than their concentrations in the soil, except for concentration of 40K in black walnut fruit, which objectively have more potassium due to the structure of the fruit. It indicates that the consumption of leaf and nut tinctureis absolutely safe, especially in relation to artificial radionuclides.X JUBILEE International Conference on Radiation in Various Fields of Research : RAD 2022 (Summer Edition) : book of abstracts; July 25-29, 2022; Herceg Novi, Montenegr

Radiological Analysis of Some Types of Medicinal Plants From the Gučevo Area and Estimation of Annual Effective Dose Due To Ingestation

U bogatoj flori Srbije uspeva veliki broj vrsta lekovitog bilja čiji se sastojci koriste u farmaceutskoj industriji i medicini, kako zvaničnoj tako i narodnoj. Pored toga lekovito bilje se u velikoj meri koristi u svakodnevnoj upotrebi kao neka vrsta napitka. Prirodni radionuklidi (radionuklidi uranovog i torijumovog niza kao i K-40) sastavni su deo naše životne sredine, a kao posledicu nuklearnih akcidenata imamo i prisustvo antropogenih radionuklida, pre svega Cs-137. Masovna upotreba lekovitog bilja predstavlja radijaciono opterećenje za široku populaciju, pa je zbog toga neophodan redovan monitoring. U ovom radu analizirano je 9 vrsta lekovitog bilja sa područja Gučeva (Zapadna Srbija). Specifične aktivnosti prirodnih radionuklida Pb-210 i K-40, kao i Cs-137 određene su merenjem svih uzoraka na poluprovodničkom HPGe spektrometru. Izračunate su godišnje efektivne doze usled ingestije za svaki izmereni radionuklid, i za dve starosne kategorije (uzrast od jedne godine i odrasla osoba). Svi proračuni su zasnovani na pretpostavci da se dnevno pije 200 ml čaja priprepremljenog korišćenjem određene lekovite biljake. Dobijene vrednosti za efektivnu dozu ingestije upućuju na zaključak da svakodnevna upotreba čajeva od lekovitih biljaka sa analiziranog područja ne predstavlja značajan radiološki rizik po zdravlje odrasle osobe, ali je neophodan oprez i obazrivost kada su u pitanju deca.In the rich flora of Serbia, there are a large number of medicinal plants types used in the pharmaceutical industry and medicine. There is also a large percentage of daily use of herbal teas as some kind of beverages. Natural radionuclides (radionuclides of the uranium and thorium series as well as K-40) are an integral part of our environment, and as a consequence of nuclear accidents we also have the presence of anthropogenic radionuclides, primarily Cs-137. The significant use of medicinal plants represent a radiological burden for the general population, so the regular monitoring is needed. In this work, 9 types of medicinal plants from the area of Gučevo (Western Serbia) were analysed. The specific activities of natural radionuclides 210-Pb i 40-K as well as Cs-137 were determined using a semiconductor HPGe spectrometer. Annual effective dose due to ingestion were calculated for each measured radionuclide, and for two age categories (one year old and adult). All calculations are based on the assumption daily consumption of 200 ml of herbal tea. The obtained values for the annual effective dose due to ingestion point to the conclusion that the daily use of medicinal plant teas from the analyzed area does not represent a significant radiological risk for the health of adults, but caution and prudence are necessary when it is about children.XXXII Simpozijum Društva za zaštitu od zračenja Srbije i Crne Gore, 4-6. oktobar 2023; Budva, Crna GoraProceedings: [https://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/11602

Heavy Metals Content in Selected Medicinal Plants Produced and Consumed in Serbia and Their Daily Intake in Herbal Infusions

The heavy metals content (HMs) was investigated in 14 different medicinal plants collected from the three regions in Central Serbia, Zlatar, Sokobanja, and Kopaonik. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb were determined: Cd (<0.03–2.72 mg/kg); Cr (<0.08–12.1 mg/kg); Ni (<0.08–12.2 mg/kg); Pb (0.6–49.0 mg/kg); the Hg concentration was below the detection limit of 0.06 mg/kg in all samples. The daily intake of HMs due to ingestion of 200 mL of herbal infusion was in all cases below the recommended limit prescribed by the World Health Organization. The estimated daily intake values were below the values for the oral reference dose regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USA EPA). The target hazard quotient and hazard index for Cd, Cr Ni, and Pb were below 1. Nevertheless, due to the tendency of heavy metals to accumulate in the organism, attention should be paid to the daily intake of herbal infusion during long-term usage. Specifically, it is recommended to consume not more than one cup (200 mL) of infusion per day made from thyme (Mt. Zlatar) and blueberry (Mt. Kopaonik), and not more than two cups per day for other herbs

Activity Concentrations of 210Pb, 137Cs, and 40K In Wild Mushrooms From Serbia and Their Effective Dose to Ingestion

Fourteen samples of nine different species were collected in the region of Fruška gora, the suburban areas of Belgrade, and the vicinity of Vlasina Lake (Serbia) have been analyzed from the radiological point of view. Specific activities of radionuclides 210Pb, 137Cs, and 40K were measured using a semiconductor HPGe spectrometer system in these wild mushroom samples. The activity concentrations of all measured dried wild mushrooms are for 210Pb: between 2.05 Bq/kg and 9.74 Bq/kg; for 137Cs: between < 0.2 Bq/kg and 19.3 Bq/kg; for 40K between 704 Bq/kg and 2530 Bq/kg. The total individual annual effective doses due to ingestion of 210Pb, 137Cs, and 40K radionuclides within a 0.5 kg dry mass of the wild mushrooms is between 3.99 µSv and 10.81 µSv, and are much lower than the recommended level for the public (1 mSv/y)

Characterization of high temperature ceramic composite sealants (CCS) with addition of alumosilicate based waste material for the potential use in it-sofc

In the present paper, possible application of novel concept synthesis method of ceramic composite sealants (CCS) with implementation of alumosilicate-based waste material in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) was investigated. Besides two different basic variants of alumina matrix nanocomposites stabilized by rare earths and carbon materials (CCS-RE and CCS-C), for this purpose two additional sealant compositions with 5 wt.% addition of waste material (CCS-RE5 and CCS-C5) were designated for a comparative study. The aim of this research was to characterize the waste material, as well as the starting components used for developing ceramic composites through various characterization techniques. Analytical procedures for determining chemical composition with focus on heavy metal content in waste was performed in order to ensure the waste is ecologically acceptable to be used as an additive. Besides, the crystalline phase composition of the raw materials as well as of the sealant compositions was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Finally, obtained results revealed that this research may provide the possible solution of forming a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and high-efficient ceramic sealants for application in IT-SOFC by incorporating waste materials in its composition, without significant negative effects on its performance and main properties.VI Conference of The Serbian Society for Ceramic Materials, 6CSCS-2022, June 28-29, 2022, Belgrade, Serbi

Characterization of active carbon materials obtained from bio waste for potential use in water purification

Adsorption is one of the well-known methods in the removal of various pollutants from water bodies. The activated carbon material has great potential in water purification as an adsorbent. In process of adsorption various pollutants from water, such as different type of pathogens and toxins that can be potential risk for human health, can be effectively removed by activated carbon. The aim of this study is detail characterization of newly synthesized activated carbon materials from biowaste. Dried date palm leaf stalk (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and black alder cone-like flowers (Alnus glutinosa L.) have been chosen as bio-waste precursors. The activated carbon materials were firstly carbonized in atmosphere of N2 and then activated in atmosphere of CO2. Both processes are performed at 750 °C during 1 h. The yields of materials were 36.5 % and 24.7 % made of datepalm leaf stalk (P_AC) and black alder cone-like (A_AC) flowers, respectively. The commercial activated carbon has been characterized in order to compare with synthesized materials. For structural and chemical properties of materials was characterized in detail by: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), low temperature N2 physisorption and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). According to those results, materials obtained from date palm leaf stalk and black alder fruits show that newly synthesized materials have properties of an adsorbent with good potential for usage in water purification from different types of pollutants.VI Conference of The Serbian Society for Ceramic Materials, 6CSCS-2022, June 28-29, 2022, Belgrade, Serbi

Potential use of slag generated from lignite combustion in hitting plants

This paper presents the examination of potential application of slag, obtained from lignite combustion process in heating plant in Valjevo, Serbia, as a replacement for cement in mortars and concrete production. Waste slag was characterized with X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Gamma spectrometric analysis, while its application possibility was investigated with testing Pozzolan activity Strength activity index, Activity index and Water requirement. The aim of this study is to determine under what conditions the slag could successfully replace cement in construction industry in certain percentages. Based on presented results it was concluded that, after mixing with silicate fume, waste slag can be used for the purpose mentioned. Optimal proportion of cement replacement is 20%-: 18% of slag and 2% of silica fume.the Conference is dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the Society of Physical Chemists of Serbia and 100th Anniversary of Bray-Liebhafsky reactio

Xanthate absorption kinetics as a function of the starting concentration with the use of the waste slag as adsorbent

In order to avoid environmental issues considering disposal of great volumes of waste generated from the mining industry processes there is a tendency among researchers to find potential use of these harmful by-products. Waste slag is one such waste product since the content of different undesirable elements like cadmium, arsenic, zinc and other heavy metals may be at a level that can potentially endanger the environment and cause public health issues. On the other hand, tailings generated in the flotation facilities are also considered to be environmentally harmful because of different residual organic reagents that are applied in the process. As it is well-known, xanthates are the most widely used reagents in flotation processing of the sulfide ores, and, therefore largely present in tailings. Besides, xanthates are reported to pose toxicity and numerous negative impacts from the ecological point of view. That explains why it is of great importance to find efficient and low-cost routes for minimizing their remaining levels in tailings, therefore exposure to environment. In this study, xanthate absorption by using of the waste slag as adsorbent was investigated. For that purpose, three different starting concentrations of xanthates were selected, -20, 50 and 90 mg/l. The mass of the absorbent i.e. waste slag put into 50 ml of xanthate solution amounted to 0.01 g. Experiment was conducted on room temperature while pH value was set to be 10. The percentage of the total xanthates content absorbed was evaluated after the period of 24 h. Obtained results indicated that potential reuse of the waste slag for the removal of xanthates, may be justified and after 24 h, 98 %, 58 % and 62 % of the xanthates were adsorbed, respectively. However, further examination is needed in terms of better understanding of xanthate absorption mechanisms and improvement of waste slag absorption efficiency.VI Conference of The Serbian Society for Ceramic Materials, 6CSCS-2022, June 28-29, 2022, Belgrade, Serbi

Kinetics and Mechanism of Cyanobacteria Cell Removal Using Biowaste-Derived Activated Carbons with Assessment of Potential Human Health Impacts

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms and the escalating impact of cyanotoxins necessitates the effective removal of cyanobacteria from water ecosystems before they release cyanotoxins. In this study, cyanobacteria removal from water samples taken from the eutrophic Aleksandrovac Lake (southern Serbia) was investigated. For that purpose, novel activated carbons derived from waste biomass—date palm leaf stalk (P_AC), black alder cone-like flowers (A_AC), and commercial activated carbon from coconut shell (C_AC) as a reference were used. To define the best adsorption conditions and explain the adsorption mechanism, the influence of contact time, reaction volume, and adsorbent mass, as well as FTIR analysis of the adsorbents before and after cyanobacteria removal, were studied. The removal efficiency of P_AC and A_AC achieved for the applied concentration of 10 mg/mL after 15 min was ~99%, while for C_AC after 24 h was only ~92% for the same concentration. To check the safety of the applied materials for human health and the environment, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the health impact (HI) after water purification, and the toxicity (MTT and Comet assay) of the materials were evaluated. Although the P_AC and A_AC achieved much better removal properties in comparison with the C_AC, considering the demonstrated genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the P_AC and the higher HI value for the C_AC, only the A_AC was further investigated. Results of the kinetics, FTIR analysis, and examination of the A_AC mass influence on removal efficiency indicated dominance of the physisorption mechanism. Initially, the findings highlighted the superior performance of A_AC, with great potential to be globally commercialized as an effective cyanobacteria cell adsorbent