• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.238-244
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• 2009

This survey was conducted as a surveillance program following the establishment of safety guidelines for agricultural products in Korea. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were measured in 421 samples using a mercury analyzer or ICP-MS. The average levels of Pb in mg/kg were 0.021 for rice, 0.020 for corn, 0.028 for soybeans, 0.034 for red beans, 0.025 for sweet potatoes, 0.021 for potatoes, 0.019 for Chinese cabbage, 0.031 for spinach, 0.021 for Welsh onions, and 0.011 for radishes. The average levels of Cd in mg/kg were 0.021 for rice, 0.002 for corn, 0.020 for soybeans, 0.006 for red beans, 0.008 for sweet potatoes, 0.011 for potatoes, 0.007 for Chinese cabbage, 0.035 for spinach, 0.006 for Welsh onions, and, 0.006 for radishes. The average levels of As in mg/kg were 0.103 for rice, 0.005 for corn, 0.007 for soybeans, 0.005 for red beans, 0.005 for sweet potatoes, 0.004 for potatoes, 0.007 for Chinese cabbage, 0.015 for spinach, 0.009 for Welsh onions and, 0.006 for radishes. Finally, the average levels of Hg in ${\mu}g/kg$ were 2.3 for rice, 0.2 for corn, 0.6 for soybeans, 1.4 for red beans, 0.1 for sweet potatoes, 0.3 for potatoes, 0.5 Chinese cabbage, 2.1 for spinach, 0.5 for Welsh onions, and 0.2 for radishes. Based on the Korean public nutrition report 2005, these levels (or amounts) are calculated only at 2.6% for Pb, 8.7% for Cd, 1.2% for Hg of those presented in provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) which has been established by FAO/WHO. Therefore, the levels presented here are presumed to be adequately safe.

• 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.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2018

The use of microwave-assisted extraction and an acid-base clean-up process to determine the amount of methylmercury (MeHg) in marine products was suggested in order to improve the complicated sample preparation process. The optimal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction was developed by using a 10% NaCl solution as an extraction solution, setting the extraction temperature at $50^{\circ}C$, and holding for 15 minutes to extract the MeHg in marine products. A NaOH solution was selected as a clean-up substitute instead of L-cysteine solution. Overall, 670 samples of marine products were analyzed for total mercury (Hg). Detection levels were in the range of $0.0006{\sim}0.3801{\mu}g/kg$. MeHg was analyzed and compared using the current food code and the proposed method for 49 samples which contained above 0.1 mg/kg of Hg. Detection ranges of methylmercury followed by the Korea Food Code and the proposed method were $75.25(ND{\sim}516.93){\mu}g/kg$ and $142.07(100.14{\sim}244.55){\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The total analytical time of proposed method was reduced by more than 25% compared with the current food code method.

• 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 Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2019

In this study, the contamination of 4 types of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) was monitored in 80 seaweeds and their processed products, and a food safety assessment was also carried out for these heavy metals. Lead, cadmium and arsenic were analyzed by ICP-OES and mercury was analyzed by mercury analyzer. The detection ranges of heavy metals were found as follows: Pb (N.D-0.802 mg/kg), Cd (N.D-0.759 mg/kg), As (0.134-17.296 mg/kg), and Hg (0.0005-0.0331 mg/kg). Pb and Hg showed no significant differences among seaweeds whereas Cd and As were significantly higher in the species hizikia fusiforme (P<0.05). Food safety assessment from seaweed intake was measured by PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake), PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake), and MADL (Maximum Allowable Daily Body Load) as set by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Pb and Hg were 0.197%, 0.036% of PTWI respectively, while Cd was 1.877% of PTMI and As was 0.619% of MADL. Therefore, it was found that heavy metal levels of seaweed were low and was considered to be safe for consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the migration level of items specified in the Korean Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notification) for 50 utensils and hygiene products made of biodegradable resins. Our results revealed that one Polylactide (PLA) baby tableware contained 20 mg/L in consumption of potassium permanganate, exceeding the standard of 10 mg/L or less. In all other samples, formaldehyde, lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) levels could be considered very safe and remained below the standard. Moreover, we tested the PLA baby tablewares (n = 21) for migration into a food simulant (4% v/v acetic acid) upon repeated elution at 100℃ for 30 min or UV irradiation for 2 h. We detected increased formaldehyde and As amounts at the repeated 100℃ treatment for 30 min compared to those upon repeated UV irradiation. However, the migration level was markedly low under both conditions. Furthermore, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) calculated on an infant-to-child basis from the formaldehyde and As migration at 100℃ for 30 min in the PLA sample was at the maximum value, i.e., 6.0×10^-4 mg/kg b.w./day and 1.3×10^-1 ㎍/kg b.w./day, corresponding to 0.40% and 10.42% of the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI, 0.15 mg/kg b.w./day) and Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI, 9.0 ㎍/kg b.w./week), respectively. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed that biodegradable synthetic resins are safe to use for food.

• 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.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.470-476
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the safety of the grains, nut products, beans and oilseeds being sold in Gyeonggi province by analyzing mycotoxins. A multi-mycotoxins analysis method based on LC-MS/MS was validated and applied for the determination of eight mycotoxins, including aflatoxins ($B_1$, $B_2$, $G_1$ and $G_2$), fumonisins ($B_1$, $B_2$), zearalenone and ochratoxcin A in 134 samples. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for the eight mycotoxins ranged from 0.14 to $8.25{\mu}g/kg$ and from 1.08 to $7.21{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. Recovery rates of mycotoxins were determined in the range of 61.1 to 97.5% with RSD of 1.0~14.5% (n=3). Fumonisin $B_1$, $B_2$, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A were detected in 22 samples, indicating that 27% of grains, 12.5% of beans and 11.8% of oilseeds were contaminated. Fumonisin and zearalenone were detected simultaneously in 2 adlays and 3 sorghums. Fumonisin $B_1$ and $B_2$ were detected simultaneously in most samples whereas fumonisin $B_1$ was detected in 1 adlay, 1 millet and 1 sesame sample. The average detected amount of fumonisin was $49.3{\mu}g/kg$ and $10.1{\mu}g/kg$ for grains and oilseeds, respectively. The average detected amount of zearalenone was $1.9{\mu}g/kg$ and $1.5{\mu}g/kg$ for grains and beans, respectively. In addition, the average amount of ochratoxin A was $0.08{\mu}g/kg$ for grains. The calculated exposure amounts of fumonisin, zeralenone and ochratoxin A for grains, beans and oilseeds were below the PMTDI/PTWI.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.291-301
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Rice is one of the main sources for inorganic arsenic among the consumed crops in the world population's diet. Arsenic is classified into Group 1 as it is carcinogenic for humans, according to the IARC. This study was carried out to assess dietary exposure risk of inorganic arsenic in husked rice and polished rice to the Korean population health. METHODS AND RESULTS: Total arsenic was determined using microwave device and ICP-MS. Inorganic arsenic was determined by ICP-MS coupled with HPLC system. The HPLC-ICP-MS analysis was optimized based on the limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and recovery ratio to be $0.73-1.24{\mu}g/kg$, $2.41-4.09{\mu}g/kg$, and 96.5-98.9%, respectively. The inorganic arsenic concentrations of daily exposure (included in body weight) were $4.97{\times}10^{-3}$ (${\geq}20$ years old) $-1.36{\times}10^{-2}$ (${\leq}2$ years old) ${\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ (PTWI 0.23-0.63%) by the husked rice, and $1.39{\times}10^{-1}$ (${\geq}20$ years old) $-3.21{\times}10^{-1}$ (${\leq}2$ years old) ${\mu}g/kg\;b.w./day$ (PTWI 6.47-15.00%) by the polished rice. CONCLUSION: The levels of overall exposure to total and inorganic arsenic by the husked and polished rice were far lower than the recommended levels of The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), indicating of little possibility of risk.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.300-307
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• 2001

This study was conducted to determine the content of inorganic metals in botanical pills and assess the safety of mineral balance in body. Inorganic metals (Fe, Ca, Zn, Na, Mg, K, Pb, Cd, Cr) were detected in 11 kinds, 51 samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentration of inorganic metals in botanical pills was in the order of K(7933.32 mg/kg)>Na(5848.58mg/kg)>Ca(2741.60mg/kg)>Mg(1595.34mg/kg)>Fe(353.14mg/kg)>Zn(22.49mg/kg)>Cr(3.51mg/kg)>Pb(0.24mg/kg)>Cd(0.09mg/kg). In samples, Morus and Laminaria contained a great quantity of K and Na, Acanthopanacis cortex, Eucommia ulmoides, Pinus densiflora, Lycii fructus, Allium sativum for. pekinense, and Platycode radix had much more amount of K than that of Na, in the mean time, Artemisia capillaris, Carthamus tinctorius seed, and Rubi fructus had various kinds of plenty inorganic metals.