• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the mercury concentration of restaurant meals and to estimate the total dietary intake of mercury. Experimental subjects were 66 cases in 11 kinds of common restaurant meals collected from the Seoul area. Total mercury was determined by Hg-analyzer and two kinds of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were as follows: 1. Mean value of mercury contents in fluid of meals was about 0.002 ppm and there was no significant difference between the two methods. 2. Mercury concentration of residue by AAS was significantly higher than that by Hg-analyzer. The mean values of mercury concentration were 2.423 ppm, 10.229 ppm and 11.655 ppm by Hg-analyzer, AAS-PE and AAS-Hi, respectively. 3. Dietary intake of mercury from the meals was estimated $7.806\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by Hg-analyzer and 31.290, $35.349\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by two kinds of AAS. The values were lower than the FAO/WHO limit, $42.9\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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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.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.74-78
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• 1991

This study was performed to investigate the effect of heavy metals and CN on BOD$_{5}$ measurement. The results were as follows: 1. The BOD$_{5}$ value decreased 20% in Cd(CdCl$_{2}$) 3.0mg/l, Ni(NiCl$_{2}$) 7.0mg/l, Cu(CuCl$_{2}$) 0.5mg/l, Pb($Pb(NO_{3})_{2}$) 9.0mg/l, Cr($K_{2}Cr_{2}O_{7}$) 1.0mg/l respectively. 2. The BOD$_{5}$ value decreased 10% in Zn($Zn(NO_{3})_{2}$) 5 mg/l, Fe(FeCl$_{3}$) 20mg, /l, and 25% in CN(KCN) 5mg/l, and 40% in Hg(HgCl$_{2}$) 0.2rng/l. 3. In Comparion with BOD Rapid Analyzer, the above mentioned heavy metals concentrations have no effect on BOD$_{5}$ value of that analyzer except CN.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.523-526
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• 2004

There are few studies on toxic metals in fruits. Therefore, we examined contents of toxic metals in fruits (n=386) available in Korean markets. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) or atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). The contents of mercury (Hg) were also determined using a mercury analyzer, Contents of toxic metals in fruits were as follows [minimum-maximum (mean), mg/kg]; Hg 0.0001-0.019 (0.001), Pb 0.001-0.410 (0.013), Cd 0.001-0.035 (0.000), and As 0.001-0.210 (0.017). Our results showed that metal contents in fruits in Korean markets were similar to those reported in other countries. Average weekly intakes of Hg, Pb, and Cd from fruits are about 1-2% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) set by FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee for safety evaluation.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.480-486
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• 2008

This paper reports on the monitoring results of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As and Hg) in oriental mineral medicines. Levels of Pb, Cd and As were determined using the acid digestion method and ICP-MS. Hg levels were determined using the gold amalgamation method and Automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The results indicated that, in the case of Pb, 25.81% (24 cases) of the samples were over MRL (5 mg/kg). Pb levels in Calamina, Pumex, and Cinnabaris exceeded MRL (5 mg/kg). In the case of Cd, 9.68% (17cases) of the samples were over MRL (0.3 mg/kg). Cd levels in Calamina, Pumex and Cinnabaris were exceeded MRL (0.3 mg/kg). In case of As, 24.73% (23 cases) of samples exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). As levels in Calamina, Lithargyrum, Vermilionum, Cinnabaris and Chalcocitum exceeded MRL (3 mg/kg). In the case of Hg, it was shown that the 76.34% (78 cases) of the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). Hg levels in almost all the samples exceeded MRL (0.2 mg/kg). These results led us to recommend that the domestic commercial law to be legislated to ensure the quality estimation and safety of oriental mineral medicines.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.77-87
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• 2009

Purpose : To evaluate the effects of Samultang(SMT) on the metals in the dams and fetuses Method : SMT(Decoction) was administered orally using different concentrations to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats for 20days after being assigned randomly to 5 groups. Each group has 11 dams. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at the 20th day of gestation and metal concentration in the dams and fetuses was observed using a ICP-MS and mercury analyzer. Results : Hg concentration in the blood of dams was lower in the $SMT{\times}1$, $SMT{\times}2$, $SMT{\times}4$group than VC(Vehicle Control) and Control group. Hg concentration in the organs of dams was lower in the $SMT{\times}1$, $SMT{\times}2$, $SMT{\times}4$ group than VC, Control group. Whereas Cd concentration in the organs of fetuses was getting lower as increasing SMT dose, Hg concentration in the organs of fetuses was getting higher as increasing SMT dose. Discussion and Conclusion : There were not any significant harmful differences of metal concentration in the dams and fetuses treated by SMT. Particularly, SMT showed the possibility of efficacy to reduce the concentration of Hg in dams but to increase the concentration of Hg in fetuses. The mechanism of reduction is not yet proven. A hypothesis says there is a possibility of the chelation effect between the essential elements of herbs and heavy metals. Another hypothesis is the possibility of Hg transmission from dam to fetus. Further study should be conducted to make guidelines for the safe use of herbal medicine.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.454-459
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• 2012

To investigate heavy metals (Hg, Pb and Cd) and their potential health risks in commercial dried laver (Porphyra sp.), we collected 45 samples from the major production areas on the western and southern coasts of Korea (Hwaseong, Seocheon, Gunsan, Muan, Shinan, Jindo, Haenam, Wando, Jangheung, Goheung and Busan). The Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS) or a mercury analyzer. The average Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations in the dried laver were $0.006{\pm}0.0017$, $0.196{\pm}0.0614$ and $0.894{\pm}0.4882$ mg/kg, respectively. Based on the 2007 Korean Public Nutrition Report, these levels are 0.02, 0.11 and 2.47% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for Hg, Pb and Cd, respectively, established by the FAO/WHO. The hazard quotient (HQ) determined from the ratio of exposure and safe levels were less than 1.0. Therefore, the levels of overall exposure to Hg, Pb and Cd for dried laver were below the recommended JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) levels, which indicate safe levels for public health.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.144-149
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• 1971

The sensitive technique of activation analysis is well suited for this study since the elements such as As, Br, and Se in tobaccoes are expected to be high concentration. As, Br, and Hg were determined by Bethge destruction method and subsequent neutron activation analysis. $^{77m}Se$ was also by non-destruction activation analysis. The quantities of the element determined in Korean tobaccoes are given as follows in ppm: As, 0.65 ppm. Hg, 0.74 ppm. Se, 1.18 ppm. Br, 7.1 ppm. From the date given it seems that Korean tobaccoes and foreign tobaccoes contained considerably high concentration of selenium and mercury.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.375-378
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• 2004

There are few studies on toxic metals in crustaceans available in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate content of toxic metals in crustaceans (n=58). Samples were digested with acids and analysed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) or atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Mercury (Hg) contents were determined using mercury analyzer. Toxic metal contents [minimum-maximum (mean), mg/kg] in crustaceans were as follows; Hg 0.004-0.28 (0.06), Pb ND-0.31 (0.03), Cd 0.003-0.92 (0.14), and As 0.01-35.9 (6.63). Our results demonstrated that metal contents in crustaceans on Korean markets were similar to those reported in other countries. Our average weekly intakes of Pb, Cd, and Hg from crustaceans were lower than 1% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) set by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for food safety evaluation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.178-182
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• 2002

This study was conducted to estimate the status of heavy metal contamination in agricultural products (n = 280), soils (n = 280), and irrigation waters (n = 48) in abandoned mines & normal farm lands (n = 8). The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed fur the contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and chrome (Cr) by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) and graphite- atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The contents of Hg were determined using a mercury analyzer. Abandoned mines had soils with higher contents of heavy metals except Cr and irrigation waters with higher heavy metals except Hg, compared to those of normal farmlands. The contents of heavy metals in agriculture products varied depending types of products. Agricultural products in abandoned mines generally showed with higher contents of heavy metals except Cu, compared to those of normal farmlands. There was no significant relationship in heavy metal contents between agricultural products and soils (p > 0.05). It is suggested that heavy metals of agricultural products and soils in abandoned mines should be continuously monitored.