• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.249-255
• /
• 2013

Yam (Dioscorea) has long been used as foods and folk medicine with the approved positive effects for health promotion. Although consumption of yam products is increasing for health promotion, reports for the metal contamination in commercial yam powder products to protect the consumers are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess whether the commercial yam powder products were heavy metal contaminated or not using the yam products from six commercial products from various places in South Korea. The contents of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Ni, and Sn) in yam powder products were measured and compared to national and international food standard levels. Also, the metal contamination was monitored during the food manufacturing steps. The study results showed that the contents of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, and Pb) in yam powder products are similar to those in national 'roots and tubers' as well as in various crops. In comparison to three international standard levels (EU, Codex and Korea), Cd content in yam powder products was lower but Pb content was 5 times higher. Also, Pb, Ni, and Sn may have the potential to be contaminated during food manufacturing steps. In conclusion, the level of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, Ni, and Sn) except Pb is considered relatively safe on comparison to national and international food standard levels.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 1997

In investigating heavy metal contents at specific areas, the method of selecting sampling points is Important A general method is, according to the law , random sampling of zigzag-form in the selected field. In this work, we studied whether the measured values obtained from a certain method of selecting sampling points is a representative of heavy metal contents in the selected field or not. The selected field for this study is located on the lower Yangsan-river: Gasan-li, Mulgum-myon, Yangsan-gun, KyoungNam, 1 km away from the mi, h stream of Nakdong river. The heavy metals investigated were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The inductively coupled plasma(ICPI atomic emission spectrometer was used to measure these metals quantitatively. The number of total sampling points were 24. We compared the total mean values with the mean obtained from various methods of selecting sampling points.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.4 no.1 s.6
• /
• pp.53-60
• /
• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the contents of heavy metals in Anguilla japonica habiting in Korea. The samples were collected along by Nak Tongriver, Young San river and culture farms. Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium were tested by the Atomic Absoption Spectrop-hotometer after wet digestion, Mercury was tested by using mercury analyzer. The results were as follows: 1. Aresenic, Copper contents in the four parts were the higest values in liver 2. In total mercury contents of the each parts, the higest value was detected in muscle. 3. In all metals, Zinc and Manganese were detected with high contents, Mecury and Cadmium were detected with low contents. Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, chromiumi, Manganese were detected with high in bone. 4, The difference was not significant between natural and feeding Anguilla Japonica, but significant correlation with parts.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.8-17
• /
• 2013

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and transfer rate of heavy metals and assessment of health risk effects in animal medicines. A total of sixteen items with 148 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas and herbal markets from 2011 to 2012. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in animal medicines were as follows : 1.55 mg/kg for Pb, 0.28 mg/kg for Cd, 0.70 mg/kg for As and 0.047 mg/kg for Hg respectively. The average contents of heavy metals in decoctions were as follows : 0.03 mg/kg for Pb, 0.01 mg/kg for Cd, 0.17 mg/kg for As and 0.003 mg/kg for Hg respectively. The average transfer rates of heavy metals from animal medicines to decoctions were 1.9% for Pb, 3.6% for Cd, 24.2% for As and 6.0% for Hg respectively. Cancer risks of animal medicines and decoctions through slope factor by ministry of environment republic korea and environmental protection agency was $1.36{\times}10^{-6}$ and $2.50{\times}10^{-8}$ for Pb and $7.46{\times}10^{-5}$ and $1.98{\times}10^{-5}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic) respectively. The hazard index of heavy metals in animal medicines and decoctions was below recommended hazard index as 0.52 and 0.05 respectively. Taken together, cancer risks about Pb and hazard indexes of animal medicines and decoctions indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe. But cancer risks about As of animal medicines indicate that the majority of samples were not relatively safe.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.1736-1740
• /
• 2004

Since the application of relatively high levels of heavy metals in the compost poses a potential hazard to plants and animals, the content of heavy metals in the compost with animal manure is important to know if it is as a fertilizer. Measurement of heavy metals content in the compost by chemical methods usually requires numerous reagents, skilled labor and expensive analytical equipment. The objective of this study, therefore, was to explore the application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), a nondestructive, cost-effective and rapid method, for the prediction of heavy metals contents in compost. One hundred and seventy two diverse compost samples were collected from forty-seven compost facilities located along the Han river in Korea, and were analyzed for Cr, As, Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb levels using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The samples were scanned using a Foss NIRSystem Model 6500 scanning monochromator from 400 to 2,500 nm at 2 nm intervals. The modified partial least squares (MPLS), the partial least squares (PLS) and the principal component regression (PCR) analysis were applied to develop the most reliable calibration model, between the NIR spectral data and the sample sets for calibration. The best fit calibration model for measurement of heavy metals content in compost, MPLS, was used to validate calibration equations with a similar sample set (n=30). Coefficient of simple correlation (r) and standard error of prediction (SEP) were Cr (0.82, 3.13 ppm), As (0.71, 3.74 ppm), Cd (0.76, 0.26 ppm), Cu (0.88, 26.47 ppm), Zn (0.84, 52.84 ppm) and Pb (0.60, 2.85 ppm), respectively. This study showed that NIRS is a feasible analytical method for prediction of heavy metals contents in compost.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.222-229
• /
• 1993

Total suspended particles in the atmosphere were collected on the quartz fiber filters using an ANdersen Hi-volume air sampler from March 1989 to October 1989 and from June 1990 to February 1991, at Chung-Ang University in Seoul. A total amount of eight heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, V, Ti, Mn) in total suspended particles were determined by ICP spectrophotometer. The annual arithmetic mean concentration of total suspended particle was 162.3$\mug/m^3$ and eight metals(Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, V, Ti, Mn) were 11.6, 609.2, 3.5, 337.1, 2739.5, 15.1, 89.4 and 100.5ng/$m^3$, respectively. The concentration of total suspended particle was highest in the spring(343.7$\mug/m^3$) and lowest in the summer(91.8$\mug/m^3$). These heavy metals were distinguished into two groups in terms of their particle size distribution. The contents of first-group heavy metals (Fe, Ti, Mn) were increased in accordance with the growth of the particle size. The contents of the second-group ones such as Pb, Cd, V, and Zn, on the contrary, came to increase according as the particle size reduced. Statistical analysis indicated that there was a correlation between total suspended particle and Fe in coarse particles, and between total Suspended Particle and Zn, Pb in fine particle.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.11 no.3_4
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 1996

In this study, we investgated the uptake capacity of several water plants for heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in soil of rivers where are adjacent to a industrial complex in Chun-An city and in A-San city. We also examined the deposition pattern of heavy metal in plants. The results are as follows: 1. The soil of river in Chun-An city was polluted more serious than that of A-San city. In Chun-An city, mean values of lead and cadmium contents in soil were 26.224 $\pm$ 28.037 $\mu$g/g, and 0.854 $\pm$ 1. 127 $\mu$g/g, respectively. 2. Water plants examined in this study were Slum suave KITAGAWA, Persicaria thunbergii H. GROSS, Phragmiles japonica STEUD, Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea WIGHT and Persicaria hydropiper SPACH. Both metal contents of several water plants distributed in Chun-An city were higher than those in A-San city. In these plants, Slum suave showed the highest uptake capacity for lead and cadmium. The mean values of lead and cadmium contents in Slum suave were 40.957 $\pm$ 29.577 $\mu$g/g and 1. 930 $\pm$ 1. 076 $\mu$g/g, respectively. Persicaria thunbergii also showed a relatively high uptake capacity for both metal. 3. Correlation between metal contents in soil and water plants was high. In both cases of Sium suave and Persicaria thunbergii correlation coefficients were 0.605 and 0.549, respectively. 4. We analyzed lead and cadmium contents in root, stem and leaf of several water plants. Both metals were mostly deposited in root. Much of both metals were also deposited in leaf. From the results, we suggest that Slum suave KITAGAWA and Persicaria thunbegii H. GROSS can be used to reduce heavy metals from industrial waste water.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.465-474
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals 'mercury(Hg), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb), arsenic(As), zinc(Zn), copper(Cu), chrome(Cr) and manganese(Mn)' in root vegetables which were produced in Korea. The levels of heavy metals were determined using a mercury analyzer, an ICP(inductively coupled plasma spectrometer) and an AAS(atomic absorption spectrophotometer) after wet digestion. The values of heavy metals 'mean(minimum-maximum)' mg/kg(ppm) in root vegetables (radish, turnip, carrot, ginger, edible burdock, taro, Chinese yam, east indian lotus) were as follows ; Hg : 0.0019(0.0002${\~}$0.0062), Cd : 0.0088(ND${\~}$0.0402), Pb : 0.021(ND${\~}$0.1070), As : 0.0401(ND${\~}$0.1732), Zn : 1.865(0.4186${\~}$6.9319), Cu : 0.648 (0.1826${\~}$4.0172), Cr : 0.121(0.0132${\~}$1.2030), and Mn : 2.730(0.0477${\~}$10.0468) mg/kg. These results showed that Hg were generally similar to and Cd was lower but Ph, As, Zn, Co, Mn were little higher than the levels of those reported contents in root vegetables on retail markets in Korea. Although the tolerable limit of Cd and Hg is not set in a regulation of WHO/FAO, the tested mean levels(Pb, As, Zn, Cu) were lower than the regulated ones of WHO/FAO, Pb '0.1-2.0', As '1.0', Zn '5.0', and Cu 0.1${\~}$50 mg/kg from vegetables. Therefore, root vegetables sold in the retail markets were evaluated as safe in terns of the heavy metal contents.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.90-93
• /
• 2003

Six heavy metals (lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, mercury and arsenic) were analyzed in 9 oriental medical materials(Paeoniae Radix Alba, Zizyphi Fructus, Cnidii Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Astragali Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex Spissus, and Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus) by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The heavy metal contents of Zingberis Rhizoma Crudus and Angelicae Gigantis Radix were 44.0 and 37.3 mg/kg, respectively, which were 1.47 and 1.24 times higher than the guideline set by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Washing with deionized water lowered the heavy metal contents by 20-38%, and reduced levels to below the guidelines set by KFDA.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2003

Shihwa tidal freshwater marsh was constructed recently to treat pollutants entering Shihwa lake. In this study, we examined the spatial and temporal patterns of heavy metal accumulation in soils of Shihwa marsh and sought correlations between several soil variables (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and acid ammonium oxalate-extractable Fe and Al contents) and the heavy metal concentration of soils. Surface soil samples (0∼20 cm) were collected in June 2000, November 2000, and July 2001, and were analyzed for heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, As, and Hg) and soil chemical properties. The neutral pH and water-saturated conditions of Shihwa marsh appeared to favor immobilization of heavy metal through adsorption onto soils. The concentrations of heavy metal (especially Zn, Cu, and Cr) in soils of Shihwa marsh increased along the sampling occasions, suggesting that soils of Shihwa marsh serve as a sink of heavy metal. Among the sub-marshes, metal concentrations were highest in Banweol high marshes and lowest in Samhwa marshes. The temporal and spatial variations in the heavy metal concentrations of soils were correlated positively with organic matter and oxalate extractable Fe and Al contents, but negatively with electrical conductivity. These results suggest that organic matter and hydrous oxide of Fe/Al may playa key role in removing heavy metals in soils of Shihwa marsh, and that heavy metal removing capacity would increase with desalinization. However, the removal patterns of heavy metal by reeds warrant further studies to evaluate the total removal capacity of heavy metals by Shihwa marsh.