• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.460-467
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• 2001

Heavy metals, such as Al, As, Cd, Cr Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, V and Zn, were analysed on kidney cortex and medulla of Korean obtained from 154 forensic medical autopsy cadavers. Heavy metals were analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry In kidney cortex, the concentrations of Al, Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Si and Zn were significantly higher than in the kidney medulla (Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn : p<0.01, AA, Pb, Se, Si : p<0.05). No significant local differences were found between kidney cortex and kidney medulla in the concentrations of As, Cr Fe, Hg, Ni, Sn and V. In kidney cortex and kidney medulla, Cd concentrations correlated positively with age, but Mn concentrations correlated negatively with age. A significantly positive correlation between Cd and Zn, Cd and Cu, Zn and Cu, Al and Si, Se and As was found in kidney cortex and kidney medulla. A significantly positive correlation between Hg and Se was only observed in kidney cortex. These results indicate that the distribution of hazardous heavy metals is similar to that of essential elements in the tissues.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2019

The transport systems for metals play crucial roles in both the physiological functions of essential metals and the toxic effects of hazardous metals in mammals and plants. In mammalian cells, Zn transporters such as ZIP8 and ZIP14 have been found to function as the transporters for Mn(II) and Cd(II), contributing to the maintenance of Mn homeostasis and metallothionein-independent transports of Cd, respectively. In rice, the Mn transporter OsNramp5 expressed in the root is used for the uptake of Cd from the soil. Japan began to cultivate OsNramp5 mutant rice, which was found to accumulate little Cd, to prevent Cd accumulation. Inorganic trivalent arsenic (As(III)) is absorbed into mammalian cells via aquaglyceroporin, a water and glycerol channel. The ortholog of aquaporin in rice, OsLsi1, was found to be an Si transporter expressed in rice root, and is responsible for the absorption of soil As(III) into the root. Since rice is a hyperaccumulator of Si, higher amounts of As(III) are incorporated into rice compared to other plants. Thus, the transporters of essential metals are also utilized to incorporate toxic metals in both mammals and plants, and understanding the mechanisms of metal transports is important for the development of mitigation strategies against food contamination.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.253-258
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• 2001

This is a research on hazardous characteristics and potentials of bottom ash from 9 municipal solid waste combustors(200 tons/day) of Korea by the test methods of leaching and content. The leaching method was performed by Waste Test Method of Korea. In case of the content method, mercury was determined by thermal decomposition amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometer, other 9 elemets including Pb, which were pretreated by U.S.EPA SW-846 3050B method, were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometer(FAAS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer(ICP-AES). Results of leaching test showed that Pb and Cu was main pollutants. It was interested that the distribution rate of metals' contents of each combustors was similar and the rank of concentration was Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn>Pb>Cr>As>Cd>Hg.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2006

This study was performed to establish new methods for hazardous substances and to develop an analytical method in specified wastes for preventing the environmental pollution caused by hazardous wastes. Therefore, the trends of international management, regulatory criteria, and items of hazardous wastes in various countries were investigated. Based on this study, target priority of new hazardous substances in specified wastes was established. An analytical method was developed using the waste standard reference materials of sludge, oil, bottom ash, etc., which contain the new hazardous substances (Ba, Be, Cr(VI), F, Ni, Sb, Se, and V). A total of 37 waste samples from the representative facilities, which are emitting new hazardous substances, were analyzed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2017

Objectives: Excluding in their homes, children spend most of their time at an elementary school, daycare center, and/or kindergarten. For educational or recreational purposes, they make use of many children's goods at these places. Some children's goods contain phthalates and heavy metals with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so due to their physiological and behavioral characteristics children are exposed to high concentrations of phthalates and heavy metals. This study aims to measure PVC and heavy metals, which are harmful substances in children's goods which can have an effect on children's health. Methods: Six samples of children's goods were selected through cases of detected harmful substances and the results of previous research, including assembly blocks, model toys, household toys, bags, indoor play equipment, and floor mats. The selected items were measured using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and the presence and content of environmentally harmful substances such as PVC or heavy metals in the materials of children's goods were examined. Results: The highest detection rate for PVC was observed in floor mats, and bags and indoor play equipment were higher than other goods in this regard. The highest detection rate for heavy metals was found in bags, followed by indoor play equipment, assembly blocks, household toys, model toys and floor mats. Except for bags containing heavy metals, five goods showed the highest level of Pb compared to other heavy metals. Floor mats contained the highest level of Pb, Cr, and Cu among all goods. Conclusion: Many children's goods contain PVC and heavy metals, and high levels of heavy metals have been detected in some goods. It is necessary to manage children's goods to support their health.

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.209-219
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• 2018

In the areas of RoHS, WEEE, ELV and REACH, reinforcement of environmental regulations against harmful substances is a global trend not only in EC but also in all over the world. In the fields of Korea's major export products such as material parts, electrical and electronic products and automobile parts, we are responding to these regulations consistently. To develop reference material for analyzing lead and cadmium in paints, the candidate materials were produced through the screening process which separated shapes and sizes. To secure the traceability of the candidate materials produced, the characteristics and uncertainties are estimated by ICP-AES analysis using the primary reference material. The short-term and long-term stabilities also are evaluated in parallel. In order to calculate the final certification value of the candidate material, the verification were carried out by the performance evaluation through the comparison among the KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme) laboratories, and the CRM was produced in accordance with ISO Guide 35. The certified values and uncertainties of Pb and Cd of the final paint standard, determined according to the joint analysis among laboratories, are Pb [($191.4{\pm}3.1$) mg/kg, ($944.1{\pm}5.6$) mg/kg] and Cd [($45.0{\pm}2.6$) mg/kg, ($225.5{\pm}3.5$) mg/kg]. These standard materials were developed to enhance the reliability of measurement analysis, including the validity and traceability of measurement results. Also it is expected that the CRM will be used as QCM (quality control material) for the product design and the process monitoring, so that regulation and management of hazardous heavy metals can be systematically implemented.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2023

Background: There is little information about the airborne hazardous agents released during the heat treatment when manufacturing a welding material. This study aimed to evaluate the airborne hazardous agents generated at welding material manufacturing sites through area sampling. Methods: concentration of airborne particles was measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer and optical particle sizer. Total suspended particles (TSP) and respirable dust samples were collected on polyvinyl chloride filters and weighed to measure the mass concentrations. Volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were analyzed using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. Results: The average mass concentration of TSP was 683.1±677.4 ㎍/m³, with respirable dust accounting for 38.6% of the TSP. The average concentration of the airborne particles less than 10 ㎛ in diameter was 11.2-22.8×10⁴ particles/cm³, and the average number of the particles with a diameter of 10-100 nm was approximately 78-86% of the total measured particles (<10 ㎛). In the case of volatile organic compounds, the heat treatment process concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during combustion than during cooling. The airborne heavy metal concentrations differed depending on the materials used for heat treatment. The content of heavy metals in the airborne particles was approximately 32.6%. Conclusions: Nanoparticle exposure increased as the number of particles in the air around the heat treatment process increases, and the ratio of heavy metals in dust generated after the heat treatment process is high, which may adversely affect workers' health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.590-595
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• 2015

Sampling campaigns were conducted for hazardous chemicals and heavy metals in influents and effluents of industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea for best management practices (BMPs) of those pollutants through the plants and the receiving water bodies. Twenty seven WWTPs, receiving wastewater from industrial complexes and treating more than $2,000m^3/day$, were selected for the sampling campaign. Influents and effluents of each WWTPs were sampled once a month (total three times per plant) between July and September, 2012, and analyzed for 22 hazardous water pollutants among 28 regulated for effluents limits in Korea. Concentrations of mercury, arsenic, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and benzene in the influents were relatively higher; concentrations of mercury and arsenic in effluents were relatively higher than those of other pollutants. Most of the hazardous chemicals and heavy metals were removed (including phase transfer) more than 60% through the treatment processes except for selenium (30% removal) and 1,4-dioxane (18% removal).

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2014

From 2008 to 2013, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected from a major area of mussel production (Changseon area), which is a designated shellfish-cultivating area for export, located on the southern coast of Korea. The samples were analyzed for mercury (Hg) using a direct Hg analyzer and for other metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentrations and bioaccumulation of the heavy metals were determined, and a potential risk assessment was conducted to evaluate their hazards towards human consumption. The concentration and bioaccumulation ratio of Cd were the highest of the three hazardous metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg). The concentrations of hazardous metals in all samples were within the limits set by Korea and other countries. The estimated dietary intake (EDI) was compared to the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) adopted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EDIs of all heavy metals tested for mussel samples ranged from 0.01 to 4.99% of the PTDI; the highest value was measured for As. The hazard index (HI) can be used to assess the risk of heavy metal consumption associated with contaminated food. The HI for all samples was far less than 1.0, which indicates that the mussels produced in the Changseon area do not represent an appreciable hazard to humans and are fit for consumption.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.793-804
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• 2009

In this study, high school students' perceptions of chemically ill-defined ‘heavy metals’ were examined through questionnaires. Nineteen classes of 11th graders (N = 611) were divided into two groups according to completion of 'Chemistry I', which were 10 science-classes and 9 liberal art-classes and compared each other. Three terms of students' cognition and definition, impact on the formation of their cognition, and their chemical knowledge of 'heavy metals' were analyzed by SPSS. The findings revealed that most of students recognized ‘the heavy metal’ as the metal which causes to be accumulated on any living thing and is hazardous in human body regardless of different major between liberal art and science. Mass media and school instruction were found to be the greatest impact on the formation of these cognitions. Especially, school instruction had more effects on students majoring in science than students majoring in liberal art, which bring the result that students in science-classes have more misconception about the definition of 'heavy metals' with human toxicant regardless of metal species and its content in human body and physical density due to the ill-defined terminology of the textbook than students in liberal art-classes do. It is interesting that students in science-classes understood hazard and chemical structure of 'heavy metals' better, while students in liberal art-classes answered the question better about hazardous properties of heavy metals.