Radionuclide content in Matricaria chamomilla L., grown in two regions

This article analyses the content of natural radionuclides in chamomile plants collected from two different locations. Both samples have been dried in the shade at room temperature. The chamomile has been collected in July 2016 from two different regions of Bulgaria - Yagnilo village, Varna district and the village of Debeli Rat, Veliko Tarnovo district. They are dried under natural conditions and milled into a fine powder. The measurements are taken on a low-background spectrometer at Shumen University "Episkop Konstantin Preslavski". The resulting gamma-spectra are processed with ANGES software. Radioisotopes are determined by their energies. The values of their specific activities are calculated. Approximately the same levels of 226 Ra, 228 Ac, 208 T1 and 40 K are found in the samples from both regions. The highest levels of radionuclides are meаsured for 40 K, the lowest specific activity in the flowers from Yagnilo is found for 208 Tl, and in those from Debeli Rat - for 212 Pb. The levels of their specific activities are within the limits, according to Ordinance №25 on the requirements for protection of people in case of chronic irradiation, as a result of production, trade and use of raw materials, products and goods with increased content of radionuclides and Ordinance №11 on defining the terms and conditions for providing free food and/or supplements to the workers and employees who work in enterprises of a specific nature and organization of work. The public health of consumers is not at risk, given these levels.