Soil to plant transfer of 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs to some medicinal and aromatic plants growing in Bitlis (Turkey).

Medicinal plants consumed in Bitlis were analysed for 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs using HPGe gamma spectroscopy system. Both plant samples and the corresponding soils were analysed. Using these values, the transfer factors for 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs were calculated in the ranges of (0.09-2.18), (0.01-0.19) and (0.01-2.8), respectively. Based on the plant concentrations observed, unless consumed in excessive amounts, these medicinal plants do not have any radiological harm to health.