ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC TRACE-ELEMENTS IN THE CHINESE MEDICINE

The concentration of certain toxic and essential elements in various r aw materials of Chinese herbs and ''scientific Chinese medicine'' were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and instrumental n eutron activation analysis (INAA). Correlation of these elements as th ey exist in the raw materials and in the prescription of medicine were investigated and the approximate intake of elements by patients were estimated. Values of elements determined both by AAS and INAA presente d excellent agreement. The ranges of elemental concentrations were fou nd to vary from 10(4) to 10(-1) mg/kg in different kinds of herbs. All herbs exhibit extraordinary enrichment capabilities from the environm ent for elements such as Mn, Zn, Ca, K, Mg, Cd, Cu, Pb and As. Higher contents of Cd, Pb and As in herbs may be attributed to the uptake of these elements from polluted soil due to industrial and antropogenic a ctivities. It was found that commercial scientific Chinese medicine, S CDBT, contains more elemental concentrations than that of herbs used i n the prescription, which may indicate that possible contamination cou ld be caused by unknown ingredients added in the process, A much highe r toxic elemental content, such as Pb, Cd and As, has been found in CF H and the daily intake of these elements by the patient will exceed th e PTDI values.