• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.262-274
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• 2023

Background: Exposure levels for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have increased due to human activities. They are known to be a public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the exposure levels to heavy metals in the blood and urine of South Korean adults and to present the contribution rate of exposure pathways using an exposure algorithm for men aged 19~64, women aged 19~64, and all seniors aged 65 or older. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 4 (2018~2020). A total of 2,646 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting heavy metal concentrations. The contribution rate was calculated by applying three exposure algorithms for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Results: Factors that commonly affect heavy metal concentrations in blood and urine were gender and age. The main influencing factors for Pb and Cd were education level and smoking status, while frequency of fish consumption and of alcohol consumption were indicated to be the main influencing factors for mercury. The contribution rates of lead and cadmium from food ingestion were 78.03~79.62% and 88.39~92.89%, respectively. Additionally, the highest contribution for mercury was accounted for by food at 81.69~85.77%. As a result of the risk assessment, cadmium was found to pose a potential health risk a with total cancer risk (TCR) of more than 1×10^-6. Conclusions: The KoNEHS could be an important study for determining the level of exposure to heavy metals and their influencing factors. Integrated exposure to heavy metals could assess the main exposure pathways, and this methodology could be applied to exposure management of heavy metals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2011

Objectives: This study assessed the factors that have an influence on the residents exposed to heavy metals, and we utilized the findings to establish the proper management of abandoned metal mines in the future. Methods: For a total of 258 residents who lived close to abandoned mines in Gangwon-province and Gyeonggi-province, the exposure factors and biomarkers in their blood and urine were comparatively analyzed via multiple regression analysis. Results: The blood levels of lead and mercury and the cadmium levels in urine were found to be higher in the study group than that in the average Korean. For the blood levels of heavy metals according to each exposure factor, all of them were found to be significantly higher in both of the group residing for a longer period of time and the group living closer to the source of pollutants. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that all the heavy metals, except lead, in their blood were significantly reduced in proportion to the increased distance of inhabitancy from the mines. Their other biomarkers were within the normal ranges. Conclusions: We found that the distance between the residential village and the mines was a factor that affects the blood level of heavy metals in the villagers. This finding could be an important factor when developing a management model for the areas that surround abandoned metal mines. (ED note: I much like this important study.)

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

The medical mineral menas a single mineral or a complex of minerals. It is natural material. using the medical action of he major or the minor elements, and traditional medicine stuff which has been used since long time ago. Jusa, cinnabar as the mineral name, is the product of the hydrothermal process. It is used to relax the body and cure high blood pressure, apoplexy and cardiopathy. Jusais the major component of "An shin hwan" and "Woo hwang chung shim hwan" nowadays because it has such an excellent calm effect. In addition, it is used to cure cancers such as esophageal cancer and gastric cancer. Jusa composed of mercuric sulfide causes mercury poisoning such as Minamata disease. It is dealt with mineralogical property and chemical composition medical stuff in Korea and China, as well asmercury poisoning and medical action of Jusa in this study. In order to predct accumulation of the interior of the body of the major and minor elements in Jusa, leaching experiment of Jusa by artificial gastric juice was done as well as thermodynamic reaction modelling to know concentration of each species of body fluid. The minor elements of 24 species such as As, Pb, Cd, a and Fe by leaching reaction of Jusa and artificial gastric juice were leached. We can know the fact that as is less than 1 ppm, Hg is less than 25 ppm and Cd and m are not detected. In addition, mercury exists as species of Hg2+, HgCl+, HgCl2, HgCl3-, HgCl42-, HgClOH, HgS(H2S)2, Hg(HS)3-, HgS22-, HgOH and Hg(OH)2 by reaction modelling between Jusa and artificial gastric juice. The concentration of sulfide complexes is 24.2 ppm and that of others is less than 10 ppm. According to increasing pH, the concentration of HgS(H2S)2, Hg(HS)3+, HgS22- and Hg(OH)2 increases, whereas the concentration of HgCl+, HgCl2, HgCl3- and HgCl42- decreases. Therefore, Jusa is very useful for the development of new medicine because it is possible to predict formation of the body species and species accumulation on mercury known as a toxic element and concentration changes of toxicity and efficiency.city and efficiency.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.1 s.45
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• pp.11-24
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• 1994

The studies reported here were undertaken to investigate the effects of mercury chloride on immune system of Balb/c mouse employing a flexible tier of in vitro and in vivo assays. Mercury chloride inhibited the proliferative responses of spleen cells to lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, and phytohemagglutinin as a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was observed not only when $HgCl_2$ was added 2nd or 3rd day of 3 days culture period but also when spleen cells was pretreated with $HgCl_2$ for 2 hours. Mercury chloride, however, potentiated the production of IgM and IgG from spleen cells. During the $HgCl_2$ administration by drinking for 3 weeks, the weight gain of mice was significantly blunted than that o control group mice, while no overt signs related to mercury toxicity were noted in any mice of experimental group. There was no change in thymus and spleen weights, and in histological findings of kidney, bone marrow of femur, thymus, spleen, and popliteal lymph node after 3 weeks of mercury exposure. However, $HgCl_2$ induced a significant increase of total serum IgM, IgG including $IgG_1,\;IgG_{2a}\;and\;IgG_{2b}$, and IgE in Balb/c mice. Treatment in vivo with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody significantly abrogated the $HgCl_2$-induced increase in total serum IgG1 and IgE. Whereas $HgCl_2$ potentiated total serum IgM and IgG, there was no difference in total serum hemagglutinin to SRBC (Sheep Red Blood Cell) between experimental and control group mice when these mice were immunized with SRBC. All these findings observed in Balb/c mice suggest that mercury perturbates well-orchestrated regulation of immune responses before developing histopathological changes in lymphoid tissues.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.156-167
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• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.10b
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• pp.197-198
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• 2008

본 논문은 Impedance plethysmography를 이용하여 당뇨병 및 동맥경화의 비침습적이고 고통없는 조기 진단을 위한 시스템 구성의 초기 단계로, 하지 동맥의 기계적 특징인 혈량 변화를 비침습적으로 측정하였다. 혈량과 혈압의 변화는 각각 Impedance plethysmograph와 mercury spbygmomanometer를 이용하여 측정되는데 탄성도는 혈량 변화값을 맥압(수축기압)의 변화량으로 나누어 계산한다. 이 논문에서는 하지 동맥의 탄성도를 비침습적으로 측정하기 위한 전초 단계로서 하지 동맥에서의 임피던스 변화만을 측정하였다. 회로는 50kHz Wien bridge 발진 회로, demodulation, 50kHz band past filter, 0.1Hz high pass filter, 20Hz low pass filter와 증폭기로 구성하였고, 생체 신호 획득 및 처리 과정을 거쳐 임피던스 변화량을 관찰하였다.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-51
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• 2003

This study was progressed for oriental medical care of neonates by fetal toxicosis removal therapy, and the results as follows: 1. The purpose of fetal toxicosis removal therapy : It removes dirty blood in neonatal mouth and prevents diseases. 2. Kinds of fetal toxicosis removal therapy : Radix Glycyrrhizae(甘草), Rhizoma Coptidis(黃連), Cinnabaris-Mel(朱蜜), Calculus Bovis(牛黃), Sojae Semen Praepartum, Juice of Semen Allii Tuberosi(非汁) and mercury(汞粉). 3. A period of fetal toxicosis removal therapy : At birth, 3rd day or so, one week or so, after umbilical omission. 4. Methods of fetal toxicosis removal therapy: Purgative therapy(下法) and Emetic therapy(吐法).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 1993

In the present study, the effect of $HgCl_2$on the function of human peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes(PMNs) was examined. PMNs were isolated from human peripheral blood with density centrifugation in Ficoll-Paque. The cells were then incubated with $0.5{\sim}5{\mu}M\;HgCl_2$and glass adherence, chemotactic activity and erythrocyte-antibody rosette forming activity were measured. $HgCl_2$ decreased the function of PMNs in all three aspects tested. $HgCl_2$significantly diminished glass adherence(40.5 {\mu}M: 92{\pm}12%$ (percentage of control, $mean{\pm}$ S.D.); 41 {\mu}M: 46{\pm}11%,$ P<0.01; $3{\mu}M: 35{\pm}7%,$P<0.01;$5{\mu}M:49{\pm}10%,$ P<0.01). Similarly, significant differences were observed in chemotactic activity after $HgCl_2$treatment compared with control (control: $0.95{\pm}0.14mm; 0.5 {\mu}M: 0.91{\pm}0.11 mm; 1 {\mu}M: 0.77{\pm}0.16mm, P<0.05; 3{\mu}M: 0.61{\pm} 0.06mm, P<0.01; 5{\mu}M: 0.15{\pm}0.03 mm, P<0.01).$ Also, 4HgCl_2$decreased the percentage of rosette-forming PMNs, indicating diminished phagocytic activity of PMNs upon $HgCl_2$ exposure compared with control (control: $58{\pm}4%; 1{\mu}M: 53{\pm}4%, p<0.05; 3{\mu}M: 49{\pm}3%, P<0.01; 5{\mu}M: 46{\pm}3%, P<0.01).$ Cell viability was not antered after $HgCl_2$treatment (483{\pm}5%$ viability in control PMNs versus $81{\pm}8%$ viability in $5{\mu}M$ Hg-treated PMNs), suggesting that the impaired PMN function after $HgCl_2$treatment was not due to nonspecific cytotoxicity induced by $HgCl_2$. $HgCl_2$-induced decrease in the function of PMNs may have some implications in depressed host susceptibilityupon bacterial challenge after mercury exposure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5829-5834
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• 2012

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although different metabolic factors have been implicated in breast cancer development, the relationship between hypertension and breast cancer has not been elucidated. Aim: To evaluate hypertension as a risk factor for breast cancer in Chilean women of low and middle socio-economic status. Methods: We conducted an age-matched (1:1) case-control study in 3 hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Breast cancer cases (n=170) were histopathologically confirmed. Controls had been classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System I (negative) or II (benign findings) within 6 months of recruitment. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer and standardized procedures. We used 2 hypertension cut-off points: blood pressures of ${\geq}140/90$ mmHg and ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Fasting insulin and glucose levels were assessed, and anthropometric, sociodemographic, and behavioral information were collected. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for the entire sample and restricted to postmenopausal women using multivariable conditional logistic regression models. Results: Hypertension (${\geq}140/90$ mmHg) was significantly higher in cases (37.1%) than controls (17.1%) for the entire sample and in postmenopausal pairs (44.0% compared to 23.8%). In crude and adjusted models, hypertensive women had a 4-fold increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.8; 9.6) compared to non-hypertensive women in the entire sample. We found a similar association in the postmenopausal group (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.1; 7.4). A significant effect was also observed when hypertension was defined as blood pressure of ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Conclusion: A significant association was found between hypertension and breast cancer over the entire sample and when restricted to postmenopausal women. Hypertension is highly prevalent in Latin America and may be a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer; therefore, a small association between hypertension and breast cancer may have broad implications.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2011

Objectives: In this study, we summarized the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic chemicals which started in 1995 and continued until a $31^{st}$ round robin in the spring of 2010. The program was performed twice per year until 2009, and this was changed to once a year since 2010. The objective of the program is to ensure the reliability of the data related to biological monitoring from analytical laboratories. Methods: One hundred and eighteen laboratories participated in the $31^{st}$ round robin. The program offers 5 items for inorganic analysis: lead in blood, cadmium in blood, manganese in blood, cadmium in urine, and mercury in urine. It also offers 10 items for organic analysis, including hippuric acid, methylhippuric acid, mandelic acid, phenylglyoxylic acid, N-methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, trichloroacetic acid, total trichloro-compounds, trans,trans-muconic acid, and 2,5-hexanedione in urine. Target values were determined by statistical analysis using consensus values. All the data, such as chromatograms and calibration curves, were reviewed by the committee. Results: The proficiency rate was below 70% prior to the first round robin and improved to over 90% for common items, such as PbB and HA, while those for other items still remained in the range of 60-90% and need to be improved up to 90%. Conclusion: The EQAS has taken a primary role in improving the reliability of analytical data. A total quality assurance scheme is suggested, including the validation of technical documentation for the whole analytical procedure.