• Title/Summary/Keyword: heavy metal (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury)

Search Result 80, Processing Time 0.023 seconds

Status and future perspective for soil contamination of arable land in China

  • Lee, Kyo Suk;Lee, Dong-Sung;Hong, Beong-Deuk;Seo, Il-Hwan;Lim, Chul-Soon;Jung, Hyun-Kyu;Chung, Doug Young
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
    • /
    • v.46 no.4
    • /
    • pp.869-883
    • /
    • 2019
  • China is currently facing great challenges in protecting its arable soil from contamination by heavy metals, especially Cd in paddy soil. China enacted the first soil environmental quality standards (SEQS) for ten pollutants in 1995, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the results of the first nationwide soil survey in 2014. The soil survey showed that as much as 16% of China's soil and 19% of the agricultural soils were contaminated mainly with heavy metals and metalloids beyond the environmental quality limits. The exceeded rate of the contaminant limits in food crops was widespread in China, and the most severe regions were East and Southwest China. Heavy metals and metalloids accounted for 82.4% of the contaminants in soils while organic pollutants accounted for 17% of the contaminants in the soil. Among the heavy metals and metalloids exceeding the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) limit, cadmium (Cd) was highest at 7.0%, followed by nickel (4.8%), arsenic (2.7%), cobalt (2.1%), mercury (1.6%) and lead (1.5%). However, all the average concentrations of the pollutants were lower than the recommended values for the contaminants except for Cd for three levels of pH (< 6.5, 6.5 - 7.5, and > 7.5). According to the Action Plan on Prevention and Control of Soil Pollution released by the State Council in 2016, 90% of contaminated farmland will be made safe by 2020 with an increase to 95% by 2030. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the soil quality to meet the environmental quality standard for soils and heavy metal standards for food safety.

Heavy Metal Contents in Ginseng and Ginseng Products (인삼 및 인삼제품류의 중금속 함량)

  • Hu, Soo-Jung;Kim, Mee-Hye;Park, Sung-Kug;Lee, Jong-Ok
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.37 no.3
    • /
    • pp.329-333
    • /
    • 2005
  • Contents of heavy metals, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), In ginsengs and ginsengs products their safety were evaluated using a mercury analyzer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer and Inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. Contents of heavy metals in ginsengs were [min-max(mean), mg/kg]; Hg 0.002-0.02(0.007), Pb 0.018-0.39(0.106), Cd 0.004-0.413(0.106), As ND-0.094(0.013), Cu 0.24-5.5(3.2), Mn 3.18-50.4(20.09), Zn 0.76-44.27(13.42). Ginseng products values were; Hg 0.0001-0.002(0.001), Pb 0.001-0.133(0.017), Cd ND-0.07(0.004) As ND-0.181(0.008), Cu ND-1.1(0.13), Mn 0.73-30.15(1.61). Zn 0.02-13.42(1.02), similar to those reported by other countries. Average weekly Intakes of Hg, Pb and Cd from ginseng and ginseng products were 0,003, 0.01 and 0,02% of provisional tolerable weekly intake established by FAO/WHO, respectively. Our result could be utilized as important references to establish the standard of lead in ginseng and ginseng products.

Assessment of Dietary Exposure to Toxic Heavy Metals from Edible Seaweeds in Korea (다소비 해조류 섭취에 의한 유해중금속의 식이노출평가)

  • Kang, Eun Hye;Hong, Do Hee;Park, Ji-In;Lee, Ka Jeong;Jo, Mi Ra;Yu, Hongsik;Ha, Kwang Soo;Son, Kwang Tae;Yoon, Minchul
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
    • /
    • v.55 no.6
    • /
    • pp.836-843
    • /
    • 2022
  • In the present study, exposure to heavy metals by consumption of edible seaweeds (green laver, laver, hijiki, sea tangle, and sea mustard) was assessed based on their concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). The mean of heavy metal concentrations were 0.006-0.023 mg/kg for Pb, 0.037-0.156 mg/kg for Cd, 1.117-15.928 mg/kg for As, and 0.008-0.021 mg/kg for Hg. In multivariate analysis, the correlations were high between Pb levels in sea mustard, Cb levels in laver, and As and Hg level in Hijiki. However, the estimated daily intake and target hazard quotient (THQ) of the heavy metals in edible seaweeds were below their approved limits suggesting no health risks associated with seaweed consumption by Koreans.

Determination of Heavy Metal Concentration in Herbal Medicines by GF-AAS and Automated Mercury Analyzer

  • Kim, Sang-A;Kim, Young-Jun
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
    • /
    • v.36 no.4
    • /
    • pp.281-288
    • /
    • 2021
  • This study was conducted to analyze and compare the concentrations of heavy metals in 430 different products of 20 types of herbal medicines available in the domestic market in Korea by Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) and automated mercury analyzer. The accuracy for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) was in the range 92.67-102.56%, and the precision was 0.21-6.00 relative standard deviation (RSD%), which was in compliance with the Codex acceptable range. Furthermore, the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) quality control (QC) material showed a recovery range of 96.7-102.0% and 0.33-4.93 RSD%. The average contents (㎍/kg) of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in herbal medicines were 254.9 (not detected (N.D.)-2,515.2), 171.0 (N.D.-2,465.2), 99.2 (N.D.-797.1), and 6.0 (N.D.-83.6), respectively. Based on the quantitative analysis results, the heavy metal contents of 20 types of herbal medicines distributed in Korea are within the acceptable range according to the standards issued by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). By using the manufacturer of herbal products as the standard for QC, the Pb, As, Cd, and Hg contents were investigated in the packaging process just before distribution to determine the actual conditions of residual heavy metals in herbal medicines. Thus, these result may contribute to monitoring the QC of herbal medicines distributed in Korea and could provide basic data for supplying safe herbal medicines to the public.

Sanitary Evaluation for Seawater and Laver Pyropia sp. in the Major Laver Growing Areas, Korea (우리나라 주요 김 생산해역의 해수 및 물김에 대한 위생학적 평가)

  • Jeong, Sang Hyeon;Shin, Soon Bum;Oh, Eun Gyoung;Jo, Mi-Ra;Yoon, Min Chul;Lee, Hee Jung;Son, Kwang-Tae
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
    • /
    • v.50 no.4
    • /
    • pp.343-351
    • /
    • 2017
  • Sanitary evaluation of seawater and Pyropia sp. laver collected from the five major laver growing areas in Korea was performed four times over the course of a year. The seawater quality in four of these five areas was regarded as the clean area according to Korean criteria, but the seawater at one investigation site in Seoheon area was found to exceed the standard for fecal coliform. In the bacteriological safety analysis of laver (raw source), the percentages of samples not conforming to Chinese criteria at the five sites were 55.6% (Seocheon), 70.0% (Shinan), 81.8% [Jindo (Haenam)], 63.6% (Wando), and 28.6% [Goheung (Jangheung)]. Pathogenic bacteria were not detected in all laver samples. The food safety of laver (raw source) based on heavy metal concentration was confirmed using Korean criteria; the concentrations of heavy metals in laver samples collected from the major laver growing areas were 0.008-0.632 mg/kg wet weight (ww) lead, 0.024-0.137 mg/kg ww cadmium, 0.908-2.892 mg/kg ww total arsenic, and 0.003-0.013 mg/kg ww total mercury. Therefore, pollution source management and periodic monitoring of heavy metals may be required to improve the food safety of laver produced in these laver growing areas.

A Study on Heavy Metal Contamination and Risk Assessment of Seaweed and Seaweed Products (해조류와 해조류가공품의 중금속 오염실태 및 위해성평가)

  • Lee, Ji-Yeon;Lee, Myung-Jin;Jeong, Il-Hyung;Cho, Young-Sun;Sung, Jin-Hee;Baek, Eun-Jin;Lee, Eun-Bin;Kim, Hye-Jin;Yoon, Mi-Hye
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
    • /
    • v.34 no.5
    • /
    • pp.447-453
    • /
    • 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.

Contents of Heavy Metals in Soybean Curd and Starch Jelly Consumed in Korea (국내 유통 두부류 및 묵류 중 중금속 함량)

  • Kim, Mee-Hye;Lee, Yun-Dong;Park, Hyo-Jung;Park, Sung-Kug;Lee, Jong-Ok
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.37 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-5
    • /
    • 2005
  • Contents of heavy metals [mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)] in 218 samples including soybean curds (n = 138), processed bean curds (n = 37), starch jellies (n = 33), and mixed starch jellies (n = 10) were determined using mercury analyzer, atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). Ranges and means of heavy metals in soybean curds and starch jellies were as follows [min-max (mean) values]: soybean curds -Hg $0.1-8.2(0.3)$, Pb not detectable (ND)-203.9(23.3),\ Cd ND-46.0 (8.1), and As ND-61.3 (0.7)${\mu}g/kg$, starch jellies-Hg 0.1-1.3(0.3)${\mu}g/kg$, Pb ND-90.2(22.4)${\mu}g/kg$, Cd ND-31.0(3.7) and As ND-23.6(1.1)${\mu}g/kg$. Daily intakes of Hg, Pb, and Cd from soybean curds and starch jellies were 0.001-0.3% of Provisional tolerable weekly intake established by FAO/WHO.

Estimation of Overall Household Utility for Heavy Metal Reduction in Shrimp (새우류 중금속 저감에 대한 전체가구의 효용 추정)

  • Hyun Joung Jin;Ye Jin We
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
    • /
    • v.38 no.4
    • /
    • pp.255-263
    • /
    • 2023
  • The standards for heavy metal levels in crustaceans are 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg or lower for lead and cadmium, respectively. Further, the contamination levels of arsenic, mercury, methyl mercury, and tin are being continuously investigated, considering their current exposure levels. Shrimps are potentially exposed to heavy metals because they inhabit areas with abundant organic matter, such as sandy or muddy shores, places with a lot of seaweed, and estuaries. This study measured the monetary value of reducing consumer anxiety and increasing consumer confidence if the government prohibits the sale of shrimp species that exceed the threshold for specific heavy metals and of the top shrimp species for which no threshold for heavy metals is specified. We derived consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP). Combining the estimated WTP with the number of households in the country, the total value of benefits was estimated to be 363.9 billion won. The results of this study will provide an important empirical finding, showing to what extent specific policies regarding heavy metals in seafood can alleviate consumer anxiety and provide psychological reassurance.

The Association between HbA1c and the Biological Exposure Index for Heavy Metals in Community (지역사회 주민의 당화혈색소와 중금속 생체표지자와의 관련성)

  • Min, Young-Sun;Lee, Kwan
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
    • /
    • v.47 no.3
    • /
    • pp.181-188
    • /
    • 2022
  • Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was approximately 16% in populations of over age 30 years, and deaths from diabetes mellitus became the sixth most prevalent cause of death by disease. To assess the relationship between HbA1c and heavy metal level in blood and urine, targeted residents were evaluated in a vast steel industrial complex. Methods: We selected 414 subjects for analysis after applying the following exclusion criterion: 18 persons with diabetes mellitus. They took part in a questionnaire survey and underwent blood and urinary assessments. HbA1c and lead (Pb) level were measured in blood and, cadmium (Cd), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and mercury (Hg) were evaluated in urine. Two subgroups were divided by HbA1c 6.5%. Each subgroup was divided by 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th percentile levels of biological exposure index of the heavy metals for logistic regression. Results: Odd ratios have a tendency to increase as they go from the 90th to the 10th percentile of cadmium. However, lead, arsenic and mercury did not have significant relationships with HbA1c. In correction of age, region, gender and smoking history, a higher distribution in the subgroup with cadmium above 0.8318 ㎍/g creatinine (30th percentile) was demonstrated in the subgroup with HbA1c levels above the 6.5%, with an odds ratio of 5.26 (95% C.I. ; 1.44~19.17). Conclusion: This study found a significant correlation between urinary levels of cadmium and HbA1c in correction of several factors. It is meaningful that this outcome may be used as a basis for a study to establish the acceptable limit of urinary cadmium in Korea.

Monitoring Heavy Metals in Meat and Meat Products (식육 및 그 가공품의 중금속 모니터링)

  • Hwang, Tae-Ik;Ahn, Tae-Hyun;Kim, Eun-Jung;Lee, Jung-Ah;Kang, Myoung-Hee;Jang, Young-Mi;Kim, Mee-Hye
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.43 no.5
    • /
    • pp.525-531
    • /
    • 2011
  • This study was conducted to examine the contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in meat and meat products in Korea. The contents of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in 466 samples of beef, pork, chicken, duck, ham, and sausage were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or a mercury analyzer. Wet ashing and microwave method were compared, and the recovery and reproducibility of the microwave method were better than those of wet ashing for meat and meat products. The recovery of the microwave method was 98.1% for Pb, 104.6% for Cd, and 103.4% for As, respectively. The best result was obtained through digestion using an acid mixture ($HNO_3$/$H_2O_2$, 6:2). Hg content was measured using a mercury analyzer. As a result, the contents of Hg and Cd in samples were lower than those of Pb and As. The average contents of Pb were 0.009 mg/kg in beef, 0.010 mg/kg in pork, 0.006 mg/kg in chicken, 0.007 mg/kg in duck, 0.005 mg/kg in ham, and 0.009 mg/kg in sausage. The average Cd contents were 0.0004 mg/kg in beef, 0.0004 mg/kg in pork, 0.0005 mg/kg in chicken, 0.0012 mg/kg in duck, 0.0015 mg/kg in ham, and 0.0019 mg/kg in sausage. The average As contents were 0.016 mg/kg in beef, 0.004 mg/kg in pork, 0.021 mg/kg in chicken, 0.010 mg/kg in duck, 0.014 mg/kg in ham, and 0.018 mg/kg in sausage. The average Hg contents were 0.713 ${\mu}g/kg$ in beef, 0.902 ${\mu}g/kg$ in pork, 0.710 ${\mu}g/kg$ in chicken, 0.796 ${\mu}g/kg$ in duck, 1.141 ${\mu}g/kg$ in ham, and 1.052 ${\mu}g/kg$ in sausage. Based on the results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2005, the levels of dietary exposure to heavy metal contaminants in meat and meat products were compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake(PTWI) established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. The average dietary exposure of the general population from meat and meat products was 0.03-0.2% of PTWI for Pb, Cd, As, and Hg, which indicates a safe level for public health at present.