Radioactivity In Crude Drugs Imported From Asian Countries

We measured radioactivity levels of Cs-137 and K-40 in crude drugs imported from Asian countries by gamma-ray spectrometry using Ge detector-MCA. Concentrations of Cs-137 in imported crude drugs were very low and close to the limits of detection (about 0.3 Bq/ kg dry weight). Furthermore, the type of radioactivity absorbed differed among species. The concentration of Cs-137 was high only in ASIASARI RADIX, whereas K-40 concentrations were high in herb drugs such as PLANTAGINIS HERBA.