• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1464-1470
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• 2005

To assure the safety of the major edible seaweeds, we collected the 176 samples of seaweeds such as laver(Porphyra sp.), sea mustard (Undaria pinnatifida), sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) and sea lettuce (Enter-omorph sp.) from Korean coast. We investigated the contents of the trace metals in the edible seaweeds, and the values were expressed as the dry weight of sea weeds. The mean levels of the trace metals were high in the oder of Zn ($36.19{\pm}27.14 \;{\mu}g/g$), Mn ($28.75{\pm}28.03\;{\mu}g/g$), and Cu ($6.82{\pm}7.62\;{\mu}g/g$), which are necessary metals in the human body, and then followed by Cr ($1.54{\pm}2.07\;{\mu}g/g$), Ni ($1.29{\pm}2.57\;{\mu}g/g$), Pb ($0.89{\pm}1.11\;{\mu}g/g$), Cd ($0.72{\pm}0.80\;{\mu}g/g$) and Hg ($0.01{\pm}0.02\;{\mu}g/g$). The contents of Cd and Zn were high in the laver, Cr, Ni and Pb were detected highly in sea lettuce, and Hg was detected highly in sea tangle. Significant linear correlations were obtained among 28 different pairs of metals, some of them highly correlated (r>0.5, p<0.05),such as Ni-Mn, Zn-Ni, Cu-Pb and Cu-Zn in laver, Ni-Zn in sea mustard, Cu-Pb, Cu-Zn and Mn-Pb in sea tangle, and Ni-Cr in sea lettuce. And, the trace metal contents of seaweeds varied with parts and kinds of samples. The average weekly intakes of Hg, Cd and Pb from seaweeds were about $0.07{\~}3.57\%$ of PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) which has set by FAO/WHO to evaluate the safeties of trace metals in food. Therefore, it was found that they showed very safe levels in the edible seaweeds.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.4-15
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• 2005

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The major exposure route of MeHg to humans is via consumption of fish and shellfish which accumulate the chemical through the food web in an aquatic environment. Hair mercury level is an excellent marker for MeHg exposure. We have been conducting a survey on hair mercury contents among general populations from 14 districts to estimate the current Japanese MeHg exposure level. Total mercury levels of all hair samples collected (12923 in total) were analyzed by the oxygen combustion-gold amalgamation method using an atomic absorption mercury detector. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mercury levels were significantly correlated with several covariates, such as sex, age, the amount of daily intake of total fish/shellfish, a preference for certain fish such as tuna or bonito, and artificial waving. The geometric means for the population without artificial waving were 2.47 and 1.65 ${\mu}g/g$ for males (n = 5623) and females (n = 3470), respectively. Hair mercury levels varied with age, and the variations were more significant in males. Since the difference between sexes was not evident at younger ages, some hormonal control might also be involved in the mercury uptake by human hair. The average mercury levels in our hair samples varied among the sampling districts. Tuna is a major carnivorous fish with high mercury accumulations that is often consumed in Japan. The amount of fish consumption and the preference rate far tuna would appear to be responsible far the regional variation in hair mercury levels in Japan. Recently, a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of MeHg was revised by 61st JECFA to 1.6 ${\mu}g/kg/week$, which was about half that of the Japanese standard, and corresponded to a hair level of 2.2 ppm. The distribution of hair mercury levels in Japanese populations in the present study indicated that 25% of the Japanese females of child-bearing age were estimated to be exposed to MeHg over the PTWI level. This would reflect the high Japanese consumption of marine products. However, not only mercury contamination, but also the nutritional benefit may have to be considered when discussing the risk involved in the current level of fish and shellfish consumption in Japan.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.502-507
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• 2010

This study estimated the heavy metal contents of vegetables grown in Korea (n=234). The samples were digested using the microwave method. The contents of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn) were determined using inductively-coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). The average values of heavy metals in vegetables were as follows [mean (minimum-maximum), mg/kg)]; Pb 0.0026 (ND-0.0313), Cd 0.0017 (ND-0.0280), As 0.0005 (ND-0.0332), Cr 0.0156 (0.0010-0.1798), Cu 0.3767 (0.0556-1.3980), Mn 3.0214 (0.0182-26.4100), and Zn 3.5796 (0.8300-14.4600). The heavy metal contents of vegetables available on the domestic market were almost the same as or lower than those reported in other studies. Further, the weekly average intake of heavy metals was lower than the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) or the Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI), which was established by the FAO/WHO. Our results can be utilized as a reference to establish specific standards for various vegetables in Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 2020

For this paper we analyzed heavy metals including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, and conducted risk assessment on 171 types of herbal medicines used as foods and drugs distributed in Seoul's Yangnyeongsi and Kyungdong (Gyeongdong) herbal medicine markets. The concentrations of the heavy metals were measured by the ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of the lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were found to be ND-4.719 mg/kg, ND-1.019 mg/kg, 0.002-8.696 mg/kg and ND-0.058 mg/kg, respectively. Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exceeded the standards of the MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) for cadmium items, and Actinidiae Ramulus et Fulium et Fructus Vermicultus exceeded the standards for arsenic items. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that there were no items exceeding 1 and that they were safe. The risk of carcinogenicity to lead was below 10^-6 in all items and was evaluated as safe. The risk of carcinogenicity of arsenic was almost all in the range of 10^-4 to 10^-6. All %PTWI are considered to be safe below 100.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2001

This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the heavy metal contents of agricultural products in Korea and to compare with relevant international criteria such as the Average Daily Intake(ADI) and the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake(PTWI) proposed by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on additives and contaminant. Contents of heavy metal in cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were in the range of $0.010{\sim}0.073$ for Cd, $0.40{\sim}6.45$ for Cu, $0.083{\sim}0.698$ for Pb, $2.45{\sim}16.30$ for Zn, $0.171{\sim}1.378$ for Ni, $0.023{\sim}0.233$ for Cr and $0.026{\sim}0.070$ mg/kg(F.W.) for As. Heavy metal contents of cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were with natural content levels proposed by FAO/WHO and were similar to value monitored in other countries. Also, average intake of heavy metal from agricultural products was lower than the ADI and PTWI by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on Additives and Contaminants. Therefore, none of the cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits evaluated showed accumulation of such heavy metal high enough to cause health problems to human.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.666-672
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• 2012

The present study was carried out in order to assess the dietary exposure as well as the risk for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure through mushrooms among the Korean population. Various samples (n=536) covering 17 kinds of mushrooms were collected from retail outlets and markets in Korea. The contents of Pb were 0.005 (King oyster)-0.026 (Matsutake) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.014 (Oyster)-16.411 (Manna lichen) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The contents of Cd were 0.002 (Enoki)-0.205 (Hericium erinaciium) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.021 (Vegetable worms)-2.650 (Agaricus blazei Muill) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The mean dietary exposure of Pb for the general population was $0.053{\mu}g/day$, taking 0.03% of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The mean dietary exposure of Cd for the general population was $0.168{\mu}g/day$, corresponding to 0.37% of provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI). Therefore, the level of the overall dietary exposure to heavy metals through mushroom for the Korean population was far below the recommended JECFA levels, indicating little possibility of concern.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

This study investigated arsenic speciation and risk assesment in 30 samples of hijiki purchased from local market in 10 Korean cities. The mean arsenic concentration of the hijiki samples was 45.65 mg/kg (dryness; moisture content of 91.1${\pm}$1.6%), and the major arsenic compound was arsenate [As(V)]. The concentrations of As(V) and As(III), as inorganic arsenic compounds, were detected to be 40.36 mg/kg and 0.37 mg/kg, respectively, and made up 88.6% (40.46 mg/kg) of the arsenic in the hijiki. Among the samples, the highest inorganic arsenic concentration was identified at 9.19 mg/kg (wet), and for an adult with a body weight of 60 kg was within an acceptable level as 0.7% (6.43 mg/60 kg/week) when compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) (900 mg/60 kg/week), and would be considered safe with respect to health-hazardous effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.283-287
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• 2014

This study determined the hazardous heavy metal content of mushrooms from markets in Seoul, Korea. One hundred and fifty mushroom samples were digested by the microwave method then the hazardous heavy metal (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni and Hg) content was determined by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and mercury analyzer. The average values of heavy metals in the samples were as follows: (mean [minimum-maximum], ${\mu}g/kg$); Pb 7.8 (1.9-30.0), Cd 45.3 (0.7-292.4), As 54.6 (24.2-229.3), Cr 42.6 (8.4-334.3), Ni 22.4 (up to 180.4), and Hg 8.9 (2.0-25.0). The contents of hazardous heavy metal in mushrooms were lower than those reported previously and also lower than the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) limit prescribed by the FAO/WHO. Thus, it could be suggested that the hazardous heavy metals levels in the mushrooms of retail market were adequately safe for consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.456-460
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• 2012

This study was carried out as a survey on the level of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in 5 items of agricultural products (lettuce, pumpkin, head lettuce, cabbage and crown daisy) for which safety guidelines are not yet established in Korea. The 407 samples were collected from local markets in 9 regional places and the levels of metals were measured by ICP-MS and mercury analyzer. The average levels of Pb, Cd, As and Hg were 0.026, 0.018, 0.008 and 0.003 mg/kg for lettuce, 0.002, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.0006 mg/kg for pumpkin, 0.002, 0.005, 0.001 and 0.0005 mg/kg for head lettuce, 0.001, 0.002, 0.0002 and 0.0006 mg/kg for cabbage and 0.022, 0.014, 0.006 and 0.004 mg/kg for crown daisy. For risk assessment, the daily dietary exposures of Pb, Cd and Hg by intake of these agricultural products were calculated and compared with PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) established by JECFA. The daily dietary exposure of heavy metals by intake of these agricultural products were 0.13, 0.56 and 0.09% of PTWI, respectively. These monitoring results will be utilized as fundamental data for the establishment of Korean standards of Pb, Cd, As and Hg in 5 items of agricultural products and valuable source for DB construction for science-based safety control of heavy metals in foods including agricultural products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) levels in deep-sea fishes distributed in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Concentrations of Hg, MeHg, and Se were measured by using a mercury analyzer and Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average content (mg/kg) in the seafood samples was as follows: Hg, 0.7647 (0.0182-5.3620), MeHg, 0.0764 (0.0096-0.8750), and Se, 0.4728 (0.1075-3.5100). All the levels of MeHg were below the recommended standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety i.e., <1.0 mg/kg. Recent studies have shown that Se prevents Hg toxicity. The average daily intake in humans was 3.3 ㎍/kg, which was lower than the recommended amount (50-200 ㎍/person/day). The weekly intake of Hg and MeHg was calculated to be 6.07% and 1.90%, respectively, of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). This study showed that the weekly intake of Hg and MeHg from abyssal fish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives. Therefore, the levels reported in this study are presumed to be adequately safe.