• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 1996

This survey was conducted to investigate the distribution of heavy metal contents in medicinal plants and soils. Plant and soil samples were collected at 254 sites(Angelica gigas : 81, Astragalus membranceus : 38, Platycodn glandiflorum : 36, Paeonia albilora : 34, Codonopsis lanoceolata : 32, Ligusticum chuanxiong : 17, Bupleurum falcatum : 16, respectively) over the country, Soil texture, pH values and heavy metal content of soils and medicinal plants were evaluated as major factors. Soil texture classification showed that sandy loam, loam, loamy sand and silt loam were 46.1%, 26.0%, 19.3% and 8.6% of the total, respectively. The contents of O.M, Ex.Ca. Ex.Mg and EC value were higher in loamy(sandy loam, loam and silt loam)soils than in sandy(loamy sand)soils, but available $P_2O_5$ contents of loamy sand soils were higher than those of sandy loam, loam, and silt loam. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni in soil were high in loamy soils, while Cr content was high in loamy silt soils. The contents of Cu and Cr in Angelica gigas were high in loamy soils, and those of Pb in Astragalus membranceus, Paeonia albiflora and Codonopsis lanoceolata were high in sandy loam soils. Correlation coefficients between heavy metal contents in medicinal plants and their soils with soil texture were positively correlated in sandy loam and loam at Cu, loam at Zn, sandy loam, loam and loamy sand at Cr, respectively. Correlation coefficients between pH value of the soils and contents of Cd, Zn and Ni in medicinal plants were negatively correlated, but those of Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni in soils were positively correlated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2015

In order to elucidate the current state of marine pollution of heavy metals around major shipyards in Korea, seawater samples were collected at eleven sampling stations and four control stations around 4 major shipyards located in the southeastern coast of Korea in summer 2010, and 6 kinds of metals such as copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), iron(Fe), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb) and mercury(Hg) in seawater samples were analyzed. The analyses of heavy metals in seawater showed that the mean Cu concentrations in seawater around 4 major shipyards were in the range of $0.817{\sim}1.638{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $20{\mu}g/L$ for the protection of human health(PHH) and of $3{\mu}g/L$ for short-term protection of marine ecosystem(SPME) but higher than Cu concentration at control station by a factor of up to 2.75. The mean Zn concentrations were in the range of $0.228{\sim}0.567{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $100{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $34{\mu}g/L$ for SPME but higher than Zn concentration at control station by a factor of up to 5.91. The mean Fe concentrations were in the range of $3.332{\sim}7.410{\mu}g/L$ which were higher than Fe concentration at control station by a factor of up to 6.75. The mean Cd concentrations were in the range of $0.013{\sim}0.028{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $10{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $19{\mu}g/L$ for SPME but higher than Cd concentration at control station by a factor of up to 2.33. The mean Pb concentrations were in the range of $0.007{\sim}0.126{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $50{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $7.6{\mu}g/L$ for SPME. The mean Hg concentrations were in the range of $0.002{\sim}0.004{\mu}g/L$ which were lower than Korean environmental standards of $0.5{\mu}g/L$ for PHH and $1.8{\mu}g/L$ for SPME. Although the concentrations of metals such as Cu, Zn and Fe which were used in shipbuilding works were lower than Korean environmental standards for PHH and SPME, the fact that the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Fe at sampling stations around major shipyards were higher than those at control stations implies that the works in shipyards had some effects on marine water quality around shipyards. Therefore, marine environment management such as the prevention and control of the discharge of various pollutants from shipyards is required on national level.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2002

Present contamination levels of soils along the major roadsides of Seoul, Korea were investigated, and base-line data were accumulated for future use. Topsoil $(1{\sim}5$ cm) and subsoil $(20{\sim}50$ cm) from five districts (Gangdong-, Gwangjin-, Nowon-, Seodaemun- and Seongdong-gu) were sampled. The collected samples were airdried, passed through 2-mm sieves, and analyzed to determine the physicochemical properties including pH, EC, CEC, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), and heavy metal contents (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Soil textures of topsoils and subsoils were mainly loamy sand and sandy loam, respectively. The range of pH was $4.5{\sim}10$.0 with an average of 7.5 for both topsoil and subsoil, which is much higher than that of the forest soils in Seoul. The ranges of 0.1 N HCI extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents for both topsoils and subsoils were $0.0l{\sim}l.19$, N.D. (not $detected){\sim}228$.99, $N.D.{\sim}352$.54, and $2.97{\sim}332$.96 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Most of the average heavy metal contents were lower than the concern level of the Soil Environment Conservation Act of Korea, but were much higher than those of the , forest soils in Seoul. Some sites were higher in heavy metal contents than the concern levels; in particular, the average Cu content in Seongdong-gu was much higher than the concern level, 50 mg $kg^{-1}$. Careful management of the soil to prevent the aggravation of the present contamination level and the dissemination of contamination is highly recommended.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2010

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and total mercury in alcoholic beverages in Korea. Concentration of Hg was analyzed by gold amalgamation method, using mercury analyzer, while concentration of Pb, Cd and As was analyzed by ICP-MS. Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of heavy metal in fermented liquors were; for Pb $9.9\;{\pm}\;8.4$(0~38.0), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;4.9$(0~5.4), As $28.6\;{\pm}\;19.4$(1~96.4), Hg $0.7\;{\pm}\;1.2$(0~10.6). Concentration (${\mu}g/kg$) of distilled liquors were ; for Pb $4.4\;{\pm}\;5.7$(0~29.3), Cd $2.0\;{\pm}\;2.5$(0~10.3), As $12.0\;{\pm}\;17.0$(0~95.6), Hg $0.2\;{\pm}\;0.3$(0~2.3). Concentration(${\mu}g/kg$ of other liquous were ; for Pb $7.5\;{\pm}\;5.1$(0~13.7), Cd $5.8\;{\pm}\;3.9$(0.6~11.2), As $25.2\;{\pm}\;39.0$(0.5~103.3), Hg $0.3\;{\pm}\;0.1$(0.1~0.5). The present study showed that difference of the amount of constituent in a same category of food are not affect to the content of heavy metals among them. The residual levels of takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors are within the maximum levels, prescribed by Korea food code. It is given that heavy metal exposure of Pb, Cd, As, Hg from consumption of alcoholic beverages (takju, yakju, sake, beer, fruit wine, soju, whiskey, brandy, general distilled liquor, liquor, other liquors) are less than 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.01%, 0.01% (mean) in provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) respectively, indicated by FAO/WHO.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: Since bottom ash (BA) contains considerable amounts of CaO and MgO, it could be a useful amendment to increase soil pH and to immobilize cadmium (Cd). This study was conducted to evaluate effect of BA application in reducing Cd phytoavailability.METHODS AND RESULTS: Bottom ash was applied at the rate of 0, 20, 40, and 80 Mg/ha to Cd contaminated soil, and then lettuce was cultivated under field condition. soil pH and net negative charge increased slightly with increasing BA application; however, there was no statistical difference among the rates. Water soluble, exchangeable+acidic, reducible, and oxidizable fraction of Cd decreased with increasing bottom ash application rate, whereas residual fraction of Cd increased with increasing bottom ash application rate. Lettuce yield increased with rate of bottom ash up to 40 kg/ha. Visual evidences of cadmium toxicity and growth inhibition were not found during lettuce cultivation.CONCLUSION: Bottom ash was effective to reduce phytoextractability of Cd and to increase lettuce yield. Conclusively, BA could be a good soil amendment to reduce Cd phytoavailability in contaminated arable soil.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2003

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of 6 trace metals in potatoes and root vegetables purchased in wholesale market in the Seoul region, specifically, Cu. As, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg. The minimum and maximum results obtained for each metal are summarized as follows for potatoes; Cu : 0.094∼0.344, As : N.D∼0.070, Zn : 0.247∼1.547, Pb : N.D∼0.268, Cd : N.D∼0.005, Hg : 0.001∼0.027, and for root vegetables; Cu : 0.021∼0.510, As : 0.004∼0.045, Zn : 0.143∼3.137, Pb : N.D∼0.372, Cd : N.D∼0.009, Hg : 0.001∼0.195. The daily intakes of trace metals from potatoes and root vegetables were estimated on the basis of the daily intake of these foods by Koreans, which were 0.073∼22.253 and 0.567∼156.219$\mu\textrm{g}$ from potatoes and root vegetables, respectively. The weekly intakes of trace metals were 0.009∼2.596 and 0.066∼18.224$\mu\textrm{g}$ for potatoes and root vegetables, respectively. The weekly intakes of trace metals for potatoes and root vegetables were very much lower than the PTWI(provisional tolerable weekly intake), enough to be within a safe range.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.894-901
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• 2010

To measure the heavy metal contents of marine invertebrates, we collected 239 individuals representing 52 species from the eastern (Pohang), western (Gunsan), and southern (Tongyeong) coasts of Korea: 34 species of molluscan shellfish (Gastropoda and Bivalvia), 6 species of Cephalopoda, 8 species of Crustacea, and 4 other species. The mean levels of the heavy metals in the samples taken from the edible portion of each Gastropoda were high in the order of Zn ($21.471\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($4.115\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.868\;{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($0.254\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.238\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.154\;{\mu}g/g$), and Cr ($0.110\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Bivalvia were high in the order of Zn ($35.655\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($5.500\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($3.129\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.423\;{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($0.402\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.233\;{\mu}g/g$), and Pb ($0.232\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Cephalopoda were high in the order of Zn ($18.380\;{\mu}g/g$), Cu ($3.594\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.630\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.150\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.068\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.034\;{\mu}g/g$), and Ni ($0.030\;{\mu}g/g$). The heavy metals in the Crustacea were high in the order of Zn ($25.333\;{\mu}g$/g), Cu ($9.042\;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($0.659\;{\mu}g/g$), Cr ($0.592\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.207\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.126\;{\mu}g/g$), and Ni ($0.094\;{\mu}g/g$). Therefore, the mean levels of the harmful heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in marine invertebrates were high in the order of Bivalvia>Crustacea＝Gastropoda>Cephalopoda. The average daily intakes of the heavy metals from the fisheries products were as follows: Cd ($6.88\;{\mu}g$), Cr ($19.13\;{\mu}g$), Cu ($137.02\;{\mu}g$), Mn ($156.13\;{\mu}g$), Ni ($11.39\;{\mu}g$), Pb ($7.01\;{\mu}g$) and Zn ($1,025.94\;{\mu}g$). The average weekly intakes of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn from the fisheries products were 11.47%, 0.46%, 3.27% and 1.71% respectively, as compared with PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) established by FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Safety Evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, we evaluate psychological stress, symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood and resilience which medical residents and interns perceived during COVID-19 event, then investigate the associations between stress and the symptoms and mediating effect of resilience on the associations. Methods : In this study, we made a self-reporting form to evaluate psychological stress with perceived stress scale (PSS), symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood with Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD), and resilience with Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Medical residents and interns, who worked in a hospital during COVID-19 event, filled the self-reporting forms from july, 2020 to august, 2020. We conducted a Pearson correlation coefficient and a multiple regression to confirm association between psychological stress and symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood, then mediating effect of resilience. Results : The higher stress perceived, the more symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood were reported by medical residents and interns. The higher resilience is associated with lower stress and less symptoms of anxiety and depressed mood, which resilience is proven to mediate partially the association between stress and symptoms of depressed mood. Conclusions : This study shows that resilience has a partial mediating effects on the association between stress and psychological pathology especially depressed mood, given that medical residents and interns were under psychological distress during COVID-19 event. This suggests that resilience is the key for medical trainees to overcome the future crisis like COVID-19 event.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.846-860
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• 1998

Background: Endotoxin (LPS : lipopolysaccharide), a potent activator of immune system, can induce acute and chronic inflammation through the production of cytokines by a variety of cells, such as monocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and fibroblasts. LPS stimulate the mononucelar cells by two different pathway, the CD14 dependent and independent way, of which the former has been well documented, but not the latter. LPS binds to the LPS-binding protein (LBP), in serum, to make the LPS-LBP complex which interacts with CD14 molecules on the mononuclear cell surface in peripheral blood or is transported to the tissues. In case of high concentration of LPS, LPS can stimulate directly the macrophages without LBP. We investigated to detect the generation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokine, TGF-$\beta$, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after LPS stimulation under serum-free conditions, which lacks LBPs. Methods : PBMC were obtained by centrifugation on Ficoll Hypaque solution of peripheral venous bloods from healthy normal subjects, then stimulated in the presence of LPS (0.1 ${\mu}g/mL$ to 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ ). The activities of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, and TGF-$\beta$ were measured by bioassaies using cytokines - dependent proliferating or inhibiting cell lines. The cellular sources producing the cytokines was investigated by immunohistochemical stains and in situ hybridization. Results : PBMC started to produce IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in 1 hr, 4 hrs and 8hrs, respectively, after LPS stimulation. The production of IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ continuously increased 96 hrs after stimulation of LPS. The amount of production was 19.8 ng/ml of IL-6 by $10^5$ PBMC, 4.1 ng/mL of TNF by $10^6$ PBMC and 34.4 pg/mL of TGF-$\beta$ by $2{\times}10^6$ PBMC. The immunoreactivity to IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ were detected on monocytes in LPS-stimulated PBMC. Some of lymphocytes showed positive immunoreactivity to TGF-$\beta$. Double immunohistochemical stain showed that IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ expression was not associated with CD14 postivity on monocytes. IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$mRNA expression were same as observed in immunoreactivity for each cytokines. Conclusion: When monocytes are stimulated with LPS under serum-free conditions, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ are secreted in early stage of inflammation. In contrast, the secretion of TGF-$\beta$ arise in the late stages and that is maintained after 96 hrs. The main cells releasing IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ are monocytes, but also lymphocytes can secret TGF-$\beta$.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 1998

Fluoride (F), over a narrow concentration range, increases bone formation. Aluminum (Ai) too is biphasic in its action on bone, being mitogenic at very low levels and inhibitory at higher levels. Both F and Al are present in finished drinking water where the chemical interaction of these two agents is well characterized. F and AI, given individually, accumulate preferentially in bone. In addition. in vivo studies have shown that F causes the co-accumulation of Al in bone. Thus, it was necessary to determine the interactive effect of these two agents on bone mitogenesis. Calvaria were obtained from neonatal CD-1 mice and cultured with various concentrations of F (0.05~19 ppm) as NaF, Al (2 ppb~2 ppm) as $AlCl_3$ , or F and Al for 3 days at $37^{\circ}C$ on a rotating roller drum. Alkaline phosphatase activity in calvaria and $\beta$-glucuronidase activity in culture medium were determined as a measures of bone turnover. Alkaline phosphatase activity in calvaria was significantly increased by F (0.05~2 ppm) treatment and $\beta$-glucuronidase activity was slightly increased in the culture medium of calvaria treated with 0.3 ppm Al. The combination of 19 ppm F and 0.3 ppm Al increased alkaline phosphatase activity in calvaria, but did not affect $\beta$-glucuronidase activity, suggesting the interactive effect of fluoride and aluminum on bone turnover.