• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.388-394
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• 2012

The present study was carried out to assess the dietary exposure and the risk for arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) through mushrooms intake. Various samples (n = 536) covering 17 kinds of mushrooms were collected from retail outlets and markets in Korea. The contents of As were 0.003 (King oyster) ~ 1.952 (Matsutake) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.015 (Fuscoporia obliqua) ~ 16.95 (Matsutake) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The contents of Hg were 0.001 (King oyster) ~ 0.030 (Matsutake) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.004 (Oyster) ~ 0.588 (Matsutake) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The mean dietary exposures of As was $0.151{\mu}g$/day, taking 0.005% of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The mean dietary exposures of Hg was $0.022{\mu}g$/day, corresponding to 0.071% of PTWI. Therefore, the level of overall dietary exposure to As and Hg for Korean population through mushroom was far below the levels recommended by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additivies, indicating little possibility of concern.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of the leaching of metal components from CCA-treated wood during outdoor exposure. CCA-treated wood specimens were placed horizontally or buried vertically into the soil, and then exposed to the natural environment for a year. Wood samples were collected from the side of the horizontal wood specimens using a drill and saw dust samples were collected at the end of the exposure. Soil samples were also obtained around the wood specimens and at different depths of the posts. Wood and soil samples were analyzed for metals using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Monthly metal concentrations varied greatly and more metals were released when wood specimens were exposed vertically than horizontally. Arsenic was released from the wood by 80 % of the intial content. In addition, more leaching was observed from the zone below the ground than above the ground, and soil around the posts was contaminated with metals released from CCA-treated wood.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2011

By using a newly developed Korean risk-based corrective action (K-RBCA) software (K-RBCA) and the RBCA Tool Kit, risk assessment was performed on a site that was contaminated with aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Eight chemicals including benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, naphthalene, benz(a) anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(a) pyrene, and arsenic that exceeded the US EPA Soil Screening Level were chosen as the target pollutants. A conceptual site model was constructed based on the site-specific effective exposure pathways. According to the RBCA Tool Kit the carcinogenic risk of arsenic was larger than $10^{-6}$, which is the generally acceptable carcinogenic risk level. The K-RBCA estimated the same level of carcinogenic risk for arsenic. With the RBCA Tool Kit, the carcinogenic risk of benzo(a) pyrene was estimated to be about $1.3{\times}10^{-6}$. However, with the K-RBCA benzo(a) pyrene did not exhibit any risk. The inconsistency between the softwares was attributed to the different fundamental settings (i.e., medium division) between the two softwares. While the K-RBCA divides medium into surface soil, subsurface soil, and groundwater, the RBCA Tool Kit divides medium into only soil and groundwater. These differences lead to the different exposure pathways used by the two softwares. The K-RBCA considers the exposure pathways in surface soil and subsurface soil separately to estimate risk, however, the RBCA Tool Kit considers the surface soil and subsurface soil as one and uses the integrated exposure pathways to estimate risk. Thus the resulting risk is higher when the RBCA Tool Kit is used than when the K-RBCA is used. The results from this study show that there is no significant difference in the risks estimated by the two softwares, thus, it is reasonable to use the K-RBCA we developed in risk assessment of soil and groundwater. In addition, the present study demonstrates that the assessor should be familiar with the characteristics of a contaminated site and the assumptions used by a risk assessment software when carrying out risk assessment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the results of exposure to chemicals and to extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields generated in wafer fabrication operations in the semiconductor industry. Methods: Exposure assessment studies of silicon wafer fab operations in the semiconductor industry were collected through an extensive literature review of articles reported until the end of 2015. The key words used in the literature search were "semiconductor industry", "wafer fab", "silicon wafer", and "clean room," both singly and in combination. Literature reporting on airborne chemicals and extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields were collected and reviewed. Results and Conclusions: Major airborne hazardous agents assessed were several organic solvents and ethylene glycol ethers from Photolithography, arsenic from ion implantation and extremely low frequency magnetic fields from the overall fabrication processes. Most exposures to chemicals reported were found to be far below permissible exposure limits(PEL) (10% < PEL). Most of these results were from operators who handled processes in a well-controlled environment. In conclusion, we found a lack of results on exposure to hazardous agents, including chemicals and radiation, which are insufficient for use in the estimation of past exposure. The results we reviewed should be applied with great caution to associate chronic health effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.187-190
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• 2012

Background: High incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is reported from North India, with elevated concentrations of heavy metals in water and soil. This Indo-Japan collaborative study compared presence of heavy metals in gallbladder tissues. Methods: Heavy metal concentrations were estimated in Indian GBC and cholecystitis tissues and compared with Japanese GBC and cholecystitis tissues. Spectrophotometry was done for 13 Indian gallbladder tissues (8 GBC, 5 cholecystitis) and 9 Japanese (5 GBC, 4 cholecystitis). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) thin foil element analysis was done in 10 Indian samples (6 GBC, 4 cholecystitis). Results: Chromium, lead, arsenic and zinc were significantly high in Indian GBC compared with Japanese GBC. Chromium, lead and arsenic were significantly high in the Indian cholecystitis tissues compared to the Japanese. TEM of Indian tissues demonstrated electron dense deposits in GBC. Conclusion: Heavy metals-chromium, lead, arsenic and zinc are potential carcinogens in Indian GBC from endemic areas. This preliminary study links presence of heavy metals in gallbladder cancer tissues in endemic areas.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.293-301
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of the concentrations of selected trace metals and inorganic anions in five types of drinking water samples (mineral spring water, well water, small community water, municipal tap water, and commercial mineral water) collected from Chuncheon, Gangwon-do in 2007. Forty four samples were analyzed for five metals and five anions using an atomic absorption spectrometer and an ion chromatograph, respectively. Arsenic (As) and nitrate (${NO_3}^-$) concentrations in some groundwater samples did not meet the future (10 ${\mu}g/L$) and current (44 mg/L) Korean drinking water standards, respectively. On the other hand, any municipal tap water samples, the sources of which were lake surface water, satisfied the Korean standards. Human health risk assessment results showed that arsenic in all types of water, especially groundwater including commercial mineral water, may pose both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic effects on the residents. It is concluded that groundwater is not safe drinking water any longer and that a national survey and follow-up measures need to be taken.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2022

Despite the beneficial aspect of fish consumption, bioaccumulation of toxic metals such as arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) can enhance the health risk for the consumers. Arsenic and Hg concentrations were measured in edible tissue and two targeted organs, namely gill and liver of longtail tuna species (Thunnus tonggol) from Terengganu waters, including Kuala Besut, Kuala Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman. The concentration of As and Hg were analysed by using inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry. The mean concentrations of both elements were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the locations and targeted organs. The hierarchy of As and Hg mean concentrations in muscle samples were Dungun > Kuala Besut > Kemaman > Kuala Terengganu. The mean concentration of As in all samples, including muscle, exceeded the permitted level set by Malaysia Food Act. Estimate Weekly Intake (EWI) was conducted to assess the health risk effect, and 63 kg was used as the average body weight of Malaysian adults. However, the EWI values show that the weekly intake of As and Hg does not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake limit suggested by Food and Agricultural Organization for the United Nations and is considered safe to be consumed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.227-249
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• 2016

Arsenic and its compounds vary in their toxicity according to the chemical forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic and known as carcinogen. The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of $15{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has been withdrawn, while the EFSA panel suggested $BMDL_{0.1}$ $0.3{\sim}8{\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ for cancers of the lung, skin and bladder, as well as skin lesions. Rice, seaweed and beverages are known as food being rich in inorganic arsenic. As(III) is the major form of inorganic arsenic in rice and anaerobic paddy soils, while most of inorganic arsenic in seaweed is present as As(V). The inorganic arsenic in food was extracted with solvent such as distilled water, methanol, nitric acid and so on in heat-assisted condition or at room temperature. Arsenic speciation analysis was based on ion-exchange chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, there has been no harmonized and standardized method for inorganic arsenic analysis internationally. The inorganic arsenic exposure from food has been estimated to range of $0.13{\sim}0.7{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for European, American and Australian, and $0.22{\sim}5{\mu}g/kg$ bw/day for Asian. The maximum level (ML) for inorganic arsenic in food has established by EU, China, Australia and New Zealand, but are under review in Korea. Until now, several studies have conducted for reduction of inorganic arsenic in food. Inorganic arsenic levels in rice and seaweed were reduced by more polishing and washing, boiling and washing, respectively. Further research for international harmonization of analytical method, monitoring and risk assessment will be needed to strengthen safety management of inorganic arsenic of foods in Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.56-56
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• 2003

The reactivity and toxicity of arsenic compounds depend on the their oxidative states. Exposure to arsenic causes many human health effects, including cardiovascular, hepatic and renal disease, in addition to cancer in kidney, liver, lung, urinary bladder and skin. The cytotoxic effects of arsenite on normal hepatocyte, which most of its biotranfomation takes place. (omitted)

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.6 s.181
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• pp.689-697
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• 2006

Distribution and speciation of arsenic in water resources was investigated in the Ulsan mine area. In 62% of uoundwater samples from the mine area, total As concentrations exceeded 0.05 mg/l, the Korean Drinking Water Standard. As(V) was the major type in groundwater with minor As(III). Arsenic species appeared to be in transition stages following redox changes after exposure to the air through the monitoring wells. In areas around the mine, the mine and Cheongog spring appeared to be the sources of arsenic contamination of water resources. The spring showed 0.345 mg/1-As, as much as seven times of the Korean standard. Groundwater and stream samples showed As-concentrations greater than 0.05 mg/l in 30% and 33% samples, respectively, and 60 and 67% of samples exceeded 0.01 mg/l of WHO guideline, respectively. Again, As(V) was a dominant species, however, several samples had As(III) in appreciable levels. In one stream sample, organic species including DMA and AsB were detected in low levels, probably resulted from transformation or related biogeochemical processes.