Fission track estimation of uranium concentrations in liquid homeopathic medicine samples

• Published in: Radiation measurements Vol. 43; pp. S527 - S531
• Main Authors: Akram, M., Khattak, N.U., Ullah, Ikram, Tufail, M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Etched-tracks; Exact sciences and technology; Fission product; Geochronology; Homeopathic medicine; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; Lexan detector; Neutron irradiation; Track density; Uranium; Homeopathic medicine; Uranium; Fission product; Lexan detector; Track density; Etched-tracks; Neutron irradiation; minerals; damage; detection; fission tracks; density; concentration; organic minerals; neutrons; irradiation; urea; particle track; standard samples; fission; uranium
• ISSN: 1350-4487; 1879-0925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2008.03.011

The ingestion of excessive amount of uranium in homeopathic medicines can damage human's kidneys by preventing normal elimination of urea and other waste products and can cause renal dysfunction. Quantitative determination of uranium in medicines is, therefore, very important. Fission track technique has been applied for the estimation of uranium concentration in homeopathic medicine samples collected from local market. The technique involved simultaneous irradiation of medicine samples and a standard, in contact with track detectors, with thermal neutrons and counting of the fission tracks produced in the detectors as a result of (n, f) nuclear reaction. Uranium concentration in the medicine samples varied from ( 0.003 ± 0.001 ) mg L - 1 to ( 0.297 ± 0.010 ) mg L - 1 with an average value of ( 0.020 ± 0.001 ) mg L - 1 . The observed concentrations were less than the permissible intake level of uranium. So, general public is at no risk while using these medicines for treatment purposes.