• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.1101-1107
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• 2013

In this study, total mercury and methyl mercury in whole blood of Korean was analyzed so as to investigate the correlation between total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury (Me-Hg). 4000 whole blood samples were divided in four groups, according to T-Hg concentration in percentile: group I (p25-p50), group II (p50-p75), group III (p75-p95) and group IV (p95-p100). 100 samples were randomly selected from the each group, and Me-Hg concentration was measured. T-Hg concentration in whole blood was analyzed using a Direct Mercury Analyzer-80 and obtained limit of detection (LOD) was $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$. Me-Hg concentration was analyzed with ethylate derivatization using headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and obtained LOD of methyl mercury was $0.5{\mu}gL^{-1}$. The geometric means of T-Hg and Me-Hg were $6.35{\mu}gL^{-1}$ and $4.44{\mu}gL^{-1}$, respectively, and 71.91% of T-Hg was presented as Me-Hg.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.506-509
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify transition characteristics of mercury in several selected medicinal plants and to find the appropriate management for production of safety food. Cultivated soils and medicinal plants were collected at 29 sites for Angelica gigas (Korean angelica root), 68 sites for Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon flower), 35 sites for codonopsis lanceolata (Deoduck), 36 sites for Dioscorea batatas (Chinese yam), 32 sites for Rehmannia glutinosa (Foxglove), 16 sites for Cnidium officinale makino (cnidium), and 26 sites for Astragalus membranaceus (milk vetch root) during the harvest season of 2013. Mercury in the soils and medicinal roots were analyzed with a Direct Mercury Analyzer. Average content of mercury in soils cultivated medicinal plants was $0.023mg\;kg^{-1}$ (range: from 0.003 to $0.074mg\;kg^{-1}$) and average content of mercury in medicinal plants was $0.003mg\;kg^{-1}$ (range: from 0.001 to $0.011mg\;kg^{-1}$), indicating that mercury in the surveyed soils and medicinal plants were not exceeded the Korean regulation.

• 생태와환경
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.569-575
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine bioaccumulation levels of total mercury on various fish tissues in two streams (Banseok and Hasin Stream) and one lake (Yeongsan Lake) during April-May 2007. We also determined natural background levels of total mercury bioaccumulation to evaluate relative individual impacts of fish and compared the levels with reference sites as a preliminary study to evaluate heavy metal stressor using fish. For the study, we collected fishes in the sampling sites and analyzed the concentrations of total mercury in the liver, kidney, gill, vertebral column, and muscle tissues using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). The levels varied depending on the types of waterbody and tissues used. Concentrations of total mercury ranged between 5.1${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 108.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the streams and between 5.3${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 87.3 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the reservoir, and the values were highest in the muscle tissues. Levels of natural background levels of total mercury, even though the sampling number was few, averaged 23.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the study sites. The individual and mean values in each system was not so high in terms of US EPA criteria of fish health and human health, indicating that the impact was minor in the study site. Further studies should be done for the determination of mercury levels in the systems.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.231-240
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• 2015

Objectives: Blood mercury levels among adults living in certain areas of the Gyeongsang Provinces have been shown to be very high (Kunwee County $29.6{\mu}g/L$, Yeongcheon-city $26.7{\mu}g/L$). The purpose of this project was to determine mercury exposure levels in schoolchildren and factors related with their mercury levels in high mercury exposure areas identifyed by the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey. Methods: From June to September 2010, 1,097 students from grades 3 to 6 at 19 elementary schools participated in this study, including 294 students from 10 elementary schools in Kunwee County, 529 students from Yeongcheon City, 122 students from two elementary schools in Pohang City, North Gyeongsang Province, and 152 students from two elementary schools in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Biological samples from schoolchildren, including whole blood, urine and hair, were collected to measure total mercury at the time of a health check up. Information about children was collected by questionnaire. Total mercury concentrations in blood were measured using the Direct Mercury Analyzer 80 with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: The mean mercury levels were $2.70{\mu}g/L$ in 1,091 blood samples, $2.25{\mu}g/g-creat.$ in 820 urine samples and $1.03{\mu}g/g$ in 1,064 hair samples. Blood mercury levels in the schoolchildren was slightly higher than the result of $2.4{\mu}g/L$ from a 2006 survey of elementary school children on exposure and health effects of mercury by the National Institute of Environmental Research. However, 0.3% and 4.5% of participants exceeded the reference level of blood mercury by CHBMII ($15{\mu}g/L$) and the US EPA ($5.8{\mu}g/L$), respectively. The reference level of urine by CHBMII ($20{\mu}g/L$) was exceeded by 0.4% of participants. As factors, residence period in the study areas, residence type, father's education level and income all showed significant associations with mercury level in the biological samples. The number of dental amalgam sides showed an association with urine mercury. Fish intake preference and fish intake frequency were important factors in mercury levels. In particular, intake of shark meat and recent intake of shark meat were associated with higher mercury levels. In this regard, participation in the performance of an ancestral rite showed a relation with higher mercury levels. Conclusion: The intake of shark meat was very important factor to high mercury exposure level. It is recommended to monitor and manage students with high mercury exposures who exceeded CHBM II and EPA guidelines, and include blood mercury testing in the Children's Health check up for this province.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.6-14
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• 2008

벼 재배 농업인들에게 기술지원을 하고, 소비자들에게 우리 쌀의 안전성을 널리 알리고자, 2005년-2006년 "탑라이스" 생산단지 및 인근 관행재배 지역에서 토양, 볏짚, 왕겨, 쌀겨, 현미, 및 백미 시료를 채취하여 미국 EPA 7473 규격을 만족시키는 자동수은분석기(DMA80)을 이용하여 분석한 결과 다음과 같았다. 우리나라 논 토양의 수은함량은 평균 0.031 mg/kg로 토양환경보전법상 우려기준(4 mg/kg)과 대책기준(10 mg/kg) 대비 1/25-1/65 이하로 매우 안전한 수준이었고, 탑라이스를 포함한 우리 쌀 중 수은잔류량은 평균 0.0018 mg/kg로, 중국의 잔류허용기준(MRL) 0.02 mg/kg 및 대만의 잔류 허용기준(MRL) 0.05 mg/kg과 비교할 때 1/10-1/30 이하의 수준으로 수은에 의한 우리 쌀에 대한 안전성 우려는 거의 없는 것으로 나타났다. 2006년 탑라이스 생산단지 토양의 수은함량은 평균 0.02788 mg/kg, 볏짚 0.00896 mg/kg, 정조 0.00182 mg/kg, 왕겨 0.00189 mg/kg, 현미 0.00166 mg/kg, 쌀겨 0.00452 mg/kg, 그리고 백미 0.00145 mg/kg 수준이었다. 토양 중 수은농도 대비 비율로 계산해 보면 볏짚 0.321 ${\gg}$ 쌀겨 0.162 ${\gg}$ 왕겨 0.068 ${\geq}$ 정조 0.065 > 현미 0.060 > 백미 0.052 순으로 볏짚 및 쌀겨의 수은농도가 높았다. 잔류수은의 흡수이행 기울기는 볏짚 ${\gg}$ 쌀겨 ${\gg}$ 왕겨 ${\geq}$ 정조 > 현미 > 백미 순으로 기울기가 크다는 것은 상대적으로 흡수이행량이 크다는 것으로 해석되며, 지상부로 흡수된 총수은량의 83.8%는 볏짚에 존재하였으며, 정조에 16.2%, 왕겨에 2.8%, 현미에 12.4%, 쌀겨에 3.5% 및 백미 9.7%가 분포하였다. 결론적으로 "탑 라이스" 생산단지를 포함한 인근의 관행재배지역 토양은 수은에 오염되지 않았으며, 여기에서 생산된 우리 쌀은 매우 안전한 것으로 판단되었다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.450-464
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• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• 생태와환경
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.155-165
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• 2008

본 연구의 목적은 다각적 수환경지표를 이용하여 영산호의 현재 상태를 평가하고 더 나아가 영산호의 수질 관리 및 생태계 보전에 활용하기 위함이다. 본 연구에서 적용한 정수생태계 건강성 평가 모델은 U.S. EPA(1998)의 정수생태계 평가 기법 (Lake and Reservoir Bioassessment and Biocriteria)에 기초를 두었고, 이 모델을 바탕으로 우리나라 호소의 특성에 맞게 수정 보완한 안과한(2007)의 모델을 따랐다. 또한 영산호의 물리적 서식 환경을 평가하기 위하여 Plafkin et al.(1989)에 의해 개발된 물리적 서식지 평가 모델을 이용하여 호소환경에 맞는 7 메트릭 모델을 적용하였다. 조직별 수은 분석은 수은 직접분석기(DMA-80)를 이용하여 U.S. EPA 7473 method로 측정하였다. 본 연구의 조사 결과, 채집된 어류는 1차 조사에서 7과 22종 389개체, 2차 조사에서 7과 21종 631개체, 3차 조사에서 7과 19종 330개체로 총 30종 1,350개체가 채집되었다. 생물학적 건강성 평가 지수는 평균 19로 악화상태(범위: $14{\sim}26$, n=15)인 것으로 나타났고 지점별 큰 변이는 보이지 않았다. 이는 외래종의 우점, 생태계 교란에 의한 기형어종과 사체의 빈도가 높았기 때문인 것으로 사료되었다. 물리적 서식지 평가 결과에 따르면 영산호의 서식지 건강도는 평균 72로 보통$\sim$양호상태(범위: $48{\sim}99$, n=15)를 보였고, 영산호 하류쪽이 상류에 비하여 물리적 서식지 건강도가 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 일반 수질 항목 측정 결과, 염도는 하구둑에 가까워질수록 증가하는 것으로 나타나 해수의 영향을 반증하였다. 총수은 농도는 조직별, 지점별로 일부 차이를 보였으나, 전반적으로 수은농축의 영향은 미미한 것으로 사료되었다. 영산호의 생태 건강성 향상을 위해 외래종에 의한 교란 억제, 물리적 서식지의 복원 등이 필요한 것으로 판단된다.

• 생태와환경
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

본 연구는 피라미(Zacco platypus)를 대상으로 어류 조직별 총수은 함량을 규명하고, 서식지 특성 및 화학적 수질조건에 따른 생태 건강성을 평가하기 위한 사례연구로서 수행되었다. 2007년 6월$\sim$10월에 갑천을 대상으로 어류조사를 실시하였고 간, 신장, 아가미, 척추 및 근육 등 피라미의 5개 조직을 적출하여 직접수은분석기(DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473)을 이용하여 총수은 함량을 분석하였다. 전체 조직들의 평균 총수은 농도는 상.하류 각각 $67.2\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$ 및 $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$로 나타나 맑고 깨끗한 상류지역이 하수종말처리장의 영향을 받고 있는 하류지역에 비해 3배 이상 높게 나타났다. BOD, COD 및 영양염류(TN, TP)에 근거한 화학적 수질평가에서는 상류보다 하류에서 심각한 질적저하가 발생하였다. 어류를 이용한 다변수 모델인 생물통합지수(IBI)는 평균 32 "양호$\sim$보통상태"로 나타났고, S2는 42 "최적$\sim$양호상태"로 최고치를 보인 반면 S5에서는 최저치인 22 "보통$\sim$악화상태"로 나타나 지점별 변이를 보이고 있었다. 정성적 서식지평가지수(QHEI)의 경우 평균 142로서 "양호상태"로 나타났지만 지점별 변이(범위 67$\sim$181)가 크게 나타났다. 종합적으로 IBI및 QHEI를 통한 생태 건강성 평가에서는 상류지역이 양호하게 나타난 반면 어류 조직 내 수은 생물 농축도는 상반된 결과를 보였다. 따라서 총체적인 수환경 건강성 평가를 위해서는 다양한 변수를 이용한 평가기법이 필요할 것으로 사료되었다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.230-234
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• 2011

국내에는 과일류 중 중금속의 기준규격은 없으나, Codex에서는 과일류 중 납 함량 규격을 0.1 mg/kg으로 설정하여 관리하고 있다. 이에 따라 우리나라에서 유통 중인 과일류의 중금속 함량 규격을 설정하고자 일일 섭취량이 많은 과일 8종(오렌지, 사과, 바나나, 배, 감귤, 감, 망고, 키위), 927건을 수거하여 납, 카드뮴, 비소 및 수은 함량을 수은분석기 및 ICP-MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 표준용액첨가법에 의한 회수율은 납 86.0-110.4%, 카드뮴 81.0-104.0%, 비소 82.0-104.7%를 얻었으며, 수은분석기를 이용한 수은의 회수율은 106.5%이었다. 조사결과 국내유통 중인 과일류의 중금속 평균함량은 납 8.3, 카드뮴 0.7 비소 1.4, 수은 $0.3{\mu}g/kg$으로 조사되었다. 중금속의 주간섭취량을 FAO/WHO에서 안전성 평가를 위해 설정한 PTWI와 비교한 결과, 납, 카드뮴, 수은이 각각 0.17, 0.013 및 0.006%로 그 수준이 매우 낮아 우리나라에서 유통되는 이들 과일로부터 섭취하는 중금은 매우 미미하여 안전한 수준으로 판단된다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2012

This study has attempted to establish an analysis method through validation against heavy metals in the body (Pb, Cd and Hg) using ICP-MS and Gold amalgamation and find out the relevance between heavy metal and Alzheimer's disease after analyzing the distribution of heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg) and correlations between a control group and Alzheimer's disease group. In this study, Pb and Cd levels in the blood and serum were validation using ICP-MS. For analysis of Hg levels in the blood and serum, the gold amalgamation-based 'Direct Mercury Analyzer' has been used. According to an analysis on the heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg concentration) in the blood, Cd concentration was high in the Alzheimer's disease group. In the serum, on the contrary, Pb and Hg were high in the Alzheimer's disease group. For analysis of correlations between heavy metal levels in the blood and serum and Alzheimer's disease, t-test has been performed. Even though correlations were observed between the blood lead levels and Alzheimer's disease, they were statistically insignificant because the concentration was higher in a control group. No significance was found in Cd and Hg. In the serum, on the other hand, no statistical significance was found between the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, no statistical significance was observed between heavy metal and decrease in cognitive intelligence. However, it appears that a further study needs to be performed because the results of the conventional studies were inconsistent.