• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.819-823
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• 2008

Mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in 225 marine fish samples purchased from retail markets in 5 major Korean cities in 2005. The results showed that the concentrations of mercury and methylmercury ranged from 0.006-0.455 (mean=$0.054{\pm}0.025$) mg/kg and 0.004-0.120 (mean=$0.021{\pm}0.008$) mg/kg, respectively, in fish caught from the coastal waters of the Korean Peninsula. The concentrations in deep-sea fish including tuna ranged from 0.066-2.315 (mean=$0.095{\pm}0.640$) mg/kg for mercury and 0.027-0.897 (mean=$0.281{\pm}0.182$) mg/kg for methylmercury. The estimated weekly intakes (EWIs) of mercury and methylmercury reached 3.92 and 4.70% of the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI), respectively. Consequently, the levels of mercury and methylmercury in marine fish from current retail markets do not pose any significant health risks for Koreans.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.349-356
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• 2015

Trace metals concentrations in the tissue of edible marine fish (4 species), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii), file fish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) and abbysal searobin (Lepidotrigla abyssalis), collected near the Yongho wharf in Busan were determined to assess the potential human health risk (HRA) of trace metals by fish consumption. Levels of Li, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the fish tissue were $0.005{\pm}0.009$, $0.77{\pm}0.30$, $0.29{\pm}0.34$, $0.49{\pm}0.14$, $15.96{\pm}2.52$, $10.62{\pm}4.67$, $0.001{\pm}0.002$, and $0.045{\pm}0.06mg/kgdw$ respectively. The estimated daily intakes of Cu and Zn and the estimated weekly intakes of As, Cd, and Pb from the fish collected near the Yongho wharf were 0.0032, 0.054-0.18% of PMTDI (provisional maximum tolerable daily intake) and 13, 0.0041, 0.020% of PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) which were set to evaluate the food safeties by the JFCFA (The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Lifetime cancer risk and target hazard for local residents due to those fish consumption were found to be negligible.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2001

This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the heavy metal contents of agricultural products in Korea and to compare with relevant international criteria such as the Average Daily Intake(ADI) and the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake(PTWI) proposed by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on additives and contaminant. Contents of heavy metal in cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were in the range of $0.010{\sim}0.073$ for Cd, $0.40{\sim}6.45$ for Cu, $0.083{\sim}0.698$ for Pb, $2.45{\sim}16.30$ for Zn, $0.171{\sim}1.378$ for Ni, $0.023{\sim}0.233$ for Cr and $0.026{\sim}0.070$ mg/kg(F.W.) for As. Heavy metal contents of cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits were with natural content levels proposed by FAO/WHO and were similar to value monitored in other countries. Also, average intake of heavy metal from agricultural products was lower than the ADI and PTWI by the joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on Additives and Contaminants. Therefore, none of the cereals, pulses, potatoes, vegetables and fruits evaluated showed accumulation of such heavy metal high enough to cause health problems to human.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.502-507
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• 2010

This study estimated the heavy metal contents of vegetables grown in Korea (n=234). The samples were digested using the microwave method. The contents of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn) were determined using inductively-coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). The average values of heavy metals in vegetables were as follows [mean (minimum-maximum), mg/kg)]; Pb 0.0026 (ND-0.0313), Cd 0.0017 (ND-0.0280), As 0.0005 (ND-0.0332), Cr 0.0156 (0.0010-0.1798), Cu 0.3767 (0.0556-1.3980), Mn 3.0214 (0.0182-26.4100), and Zn 3.5796 (0.8300-14.4600). The heavy metal contents of vegetables available on the domestic market were almost the same as or lower than those reported in other studies. Further, the weekly average intake of heavy metals was lower than the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) or the Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI), which was established by the FAO/WHO. Our results can be utilized as a reference to establish specific standards for various vegetables in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.270-277
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• 2020

This study analyzed mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, fumonisin B1, B2, ochratoxin A and zearalenone, using LC-MS/MS and conducted risk assessment on 54 samples of seeds distributed in SeoulYangnyeongsi and the management status of extramural herbal dispensary facility. The matched calibration showed a good linearity as observed in 6 concentration levels(r2>0.999) as a result of method validation applied with Arecae semen. Limits of detection(LOD) and quantification(LOQ) were in the range of 0.02-0.11 ㎍/kg and 0.08-0.34 ㎍/kg, respectively. Recoveries also estimated, ranging from 65.1-99.7% with relative standard deviation(RSD) 0.5-6.3%. As a result of the method on 54 samples, mycotoxins were detected in 16 samples. Among them, two Thujae semen showed a degree of concentration that exceeded the aflatoxin specification. In the risk assessment, the human exposure safety standard values were calculated as ADI(Acceptable Daily Intake) for aflatoxin B1, fumonisin and zearalenone. Ochratoxin A was calculated as PTWI(Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake). The MOE(Margine of Exposure) of aflatoxin B1 was in the range of 40.36-3536.88. And no items exceeded 100% in %TDI(Tolerable Daily Intake) and %TWI(Tolerable Weekly Intake) of fumonisin, zearalenone and ochratoxin A.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1138-1146
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• 2016

This study was performed to estimate daily intakes of aluminum from Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle and evaluate their potential health risks for Koreans. Estimated daily intake of aluminum was calculated, whereas the actual level of aluminum in Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Food consumption amount was drawn from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-1). In analysed samples, aluminum values ranged from 0.54~564.38 mg/kg in peeled Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle samples (n=53) and from 0.72~28.05 mg/kg in unpeeled ones (n=40). Statistically significant difference (P<0.001) was detected according to the type of skin. To estimate the dietary intake of Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle, a total of 7,242 respondents (scenario I) were compared to 227 Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle consumption subjects (scenario II). Estimated daily intake of aluminum was calculated based on point estimates. Level of safety for aluminum was evaluated by comparison with Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI), 1 mg/kg bw, set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. For scenario I, mean estimated daily intake of aluminum was 0.001 mg/kg bw/d. For scenario II, mean estimated daily intake of aluminum was 0.033 mg/kg bw/d, and 95th percentile estimated daily intake was 0.610 mg/kg bw/d. For scenario II, aluminum from Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle had a mean weekly intake that was the 23.1% of PTWI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.606-612
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate certain heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu) in 144 samples of cephalopods, to identify weekly heavy metal intakes and to evaluate potential health risks. The average concentrations in the arm, expressed in mg/kg, were: Hg 0.017 (less than the limit of detection (LOD) to 0.059), Pb 0.024 (less than the LOD to 0.092), Cd 0.030 (less than the LOD to 0.627) and Cu 2.536 (less than the LOD to 5.837). The average concentration in the internal organs, expressed in mg/kg, were: Hg 0.063 (from 0.008 to 0.543), Pb 0.579 (less than the LOD to 2.344), Cd 15.200 (from 0.654 to 75.29) and Cu 201.706 (from 2.412 to 856.4). Heavy metal concentrations were higher in the organs than in the arm. Of the four heavy metals, the ratio of internal organs to arm was highest for cadmium. The weekly intakes of Hg, Pb, Cd and Cu from Octopus minor were 0.2%, 0.08%, 0.20% and 0.00%, respectively from the arm, and 1.0%, 0.96%, 92.28% and 0.05% from the internal organs as compared to PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intakes) established by the FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Safety Evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.487-493
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• 2017

Recent years have seen steadily increasing concerns about human exposure to heavy metals through seafood consumption. In Korea, the diverse dietary patterns of different bivalve shellfish necessitate tissue-specific evaluation of heavy metal contents for risk assessment. We analyzed the heavy metal contents of various tissues in scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis) and pen shells (Atrina pectinate). In both species, we found higher levels of cadmium (Cd) in the mantle than in the adductive muscle, while there was no significant difference between the two tissue types in total mercury (THg) and lead (Pb) (P<0.05). Levels of THg and Pb were acceptable by Korean standards. However, the level of Cd in pen shell mantle tissue exceeded the standard by 40%. The rate of heavy metal exposure from consumption of these species was shown to be 0.003-0.010% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake of THg and 0.312-0.600% of the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTWI) of Cd as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These findings on the tissue-specific heavy metal contents of these species will be useful in assessing the health risks of Korean dietary habits.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 2010

The present study was carried out to assess exposure & risk for Korean by total and inorganic As intake through agricultural products. Total arsenic analysis was performed using microwave device and ICP-MS. 50% MeOH extraction and anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS method has been used to determine arsenic species. 329 samples covering 20 kinds of agricultural products were collected from various retail outlets and markets across Korea. The concentration of total As was in the range of 0.001~0.718 mg/kg, while inorganic and organic arsenic species in all samples was not determined. For risk assessment, probable daily intake was calculated and compared with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI, 15 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./week for inorganic arsenic) established by JECFA. The median daily exposure to total and inorganic As by intake of agricultural products except rice was ranged 0.0002~0.012, 0.0001~0.001 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./day, corresponding to 0.01~0.5%, 0.002~0.1% of PTWI, respectively. The median level of total and inorganic As intake through rice was 0.603 and 0.041 ${\mu}g$/kg b.w./day, and 28.1% and 1.9% of PTWI, respectively. Therefore, the level of overall exposure to arsenic for Korean through agricultural products was below the recommended JECFA levels, indicating of least possibility of risk.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) levels in deep-sea fishes distributed in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Concentrations of Hg, MeHg, and Se were measured by using a mercury analyzer and Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average content (mg/kg) in the seafood samples was as follows: Hg, 0.7647 (0.0182-5.3620), MeHg, 0.0764 (0.0096-0.8750), and Se, 0.4728 (0.1075-3.5100). All the levels of MeHg were below the recommended standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety i.e., <1.0 mg/kg. Recent studies have shown that Se prevents Hg toxicity. The average daily intake in humans was 3.3 ㎍/kg, which was lower than the recommended amount (50-200 ㎍/person/day). The weekly intake of Hg and MeHg was calculated to be 6.07% and 1.90%, respectively, of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). This study showed that the weekly intake of Hg and MeHg from abyssal fish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives. Therefore, the levels reported in this study are presumed to be adequately safe.