• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 1996

In order to investigate the contents of total mercury in zoo animal located near in Seoul, we measured the contents of total mercury in fur and feather collected in zoo animal by the Mercury Analyzer. The contents of total mercury in mammals was $61.56\pm 20.32 \mu g/kg$, but in birds $659.49\pm 162.73 \mu g/kg$. Compared with feeding pattern, the contents of total mercury of omniverous and carniverous were detected higher than those of herbiverous in mammals, and also same as in birds. The contents of total mercury of Cuculidae and Ciconidae were detected highestly among classification of family in zoo animal, but those of Camelidae and Cervidae were detected lowestly. Of carniverous, 30.5% was higher than $1000 \mu g/kg$, but the ratio of omniverous detected less than $100 \mu g/kg$ was 45.5%, and in herbiverous 95.4%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.121-128
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity has been associated with higher total blood mercury levels, based on animal studies; however, studies that focus on children and adolescents are lacking. We aimed to assess the association between total blood mercury levels and the incidence of overweight and abdominal obesity in Korean adolescents. Methods: The study population comprised 1,567 adolescents (793 boys and 774 girls; aged 10-19 years), who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013. We analyzed total blood mercury levels according to obesity status in all participants. Results: The geometric mean of total blood mercury levels was $1.93{\mu}g/L$. Participants with overweight ($2.20{\mu}g/L$) and obesity ($2.17{\mu}g/L$) had higher levels than those with normal weight ($1.86{\mu}g/L$, P<0.0001). The prevalence of overweight significantly increased with elevation of the total blood mercury quartile in both sexes. Increased incidence of abdominal obesity corresponding to increased total blood mercury level was observed in boys. After adjusting for covariates, those in the highest total blood mercury quartile were found to be at higher risk of overweight/obesity than those in the lowest quartile in both sexes (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: boys, 3.27 [1.66-6.41]; girls, 1.90 [1.03-3.49]). The association between total blood mercury quartile and abdominal obesity was significant after controlling for covariates in boys (2.35 [1.05-5.24]). Conclusion: Our results suggest an association between total blood mercury levels and overweight in Korean adolescents.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1101-1107
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• 2013

In this study, total mercury and methyl mercury in whole blood of Korean was analyzed so as to investigate the correlation between total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury (Me-Hg). 4000 whole blood samples were divided in four groups, according to T-Hg concentration in percentile: group I (p25-p50), group II (p50-p75), group III (p75-p95) and group IV (p95-p100). 100 samples were randomly selected from the each group, and Me-Hg concentration was measured. T-Hg concentration in whole blood was analyzed using a Direct Mercury Analyzer-80 and obtained limit of detection (LOD) was $0.2{\mu}gL^{-1}$. Me-Hg concentration was analyzed with ethylate derivatization using headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and obtained LOD of methyl mercury was $0.5{\mu}gL^{-1}$. The geometric means of T-Hg and Me-Hg were $6.35{\mu}gL^{-1}$ and $4.44{\mu}gL^{-1}$, respectively, and 71.91% of T-Hg was presented as Me-Hg.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 1989

The average value of total mercury contents in scalp hair of Korean male was found to be 1.66+1.10 ppm (S.D.) and that of methylmercury was 1.02+0.72 ppm (61.0% of the total mercury). In case of total mercury contents of female was 1.06+0.46 ppm and that of methylmercury was 0.51+0.27 ppm (48.4% of total mercury level). When compared with data reported by Japanese, the levels were about half. The levels of mercury in scalp hair of male subjects were significantly different with their occupations, but in case of female, the variation was not so much.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 1979

Total mercury content of Korean soils which were randomly sampled at 212 different localities were determined by quartz tube combustion-gold amalgamation method, 1) The mean and median values of total mercury content of Korean soils were 0.18PPM and 0.14PPM, respectively. 2) Among 212 localities, 14 have total mercury contents which are three times higher than the median value. The highest values was found to be 1.74PPM.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1719-1723
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• 2002

1,5-diphenylcarbazone was immobilized on sodium dodecyl sulfate coated alumina. The alumina particle was effectively used for collection of mercury(II) and methylmercury cations at sub-ppb level. The adsorbed mercury was eluted with l mol $L^{-1}$ of hydrobromic acid solution. The mercury(II) was then directly measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry utilizing tin (II) chloride where as the total mercury was determined after the oxidation of methylmercury into the inorganic mercury. The methylmercury concentration was calculated by the difference between the value of total mercury and mercury (II). Mercury (II) and methylmercury cations were completely recovered from water with a preconcentration factor of 100 (for 1 L solution.) Relative standard deviation at Hg L ${\mu}gL^{-1}$ level 1.7%(n=8) and the limit of detection was 0.11 ${\mu}gL^{-1}$. The procedure was applied to spring water, well water and seawater and accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.8-14
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• 2000

This paper was conducted to examine the level of total and organic mercury in the scalp hair by the consumption pattern of fish. The scalp hair samples were collected from the occipital part of 101 in coastal, 106 in rural. The total and organic mercury contents of adult scalp hair increased with age up to the forties and slightly decreased in the fifties. (p<0.01) The mercury contents of the persons who were favorite dishes of fish were most high, and who prefer fish were 2 times higher than those of the persons who prefer vegetables and broiled. The contents of total and organic mercury in scalp hair showed a increasing tendency with the intake frequency of raw and cooked fish. (p<0.01) The total and organic mercury contents in the raw fishes were over 2 times higher than those in the boiled fishes.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Objectives: According to the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS), some areas in the Gyeongsang Provinces showed very high blood mercury levels in adults. We conducted this project to investigate any related health effects in children due to mercury levels in these areas. Methods: In total, 1,097 students between grades 3 and 6 at 19 elementary schools were recruited from four areas with high mercury exposure as identified by the KNEHS. Total mercury levels in biological samples were compared with health check-ups performed on the schoolchildren. Biological monitoring, supported by questionnaires, a computerized neurobehavioral test, a posturography test and a personality test, were applied. Results: Triglycerides showed a significant relation with mercury in blood, urine and hair. Total mercury concentrations were divided into two groups: upper and lower concentration groups based on the median value. In the computerized neurobehavioral test, the upper blood mercury group showed a greater reaction time for color-word vigilance (p<0.05). In the posturography test, the intensity value of the tremor test showd high significant relations with mercury levels (p<0.01). In the personality test, self-consciousness, misdeeds and family relationships showed significant differences between the upper and lower urine mercury groups (p<0.01), and specific reactions, ego resilience and hyperactivity also showed some differences (p<0.1). Conclusion: Some items in the neurobehavioral test, posturography test and personality test showed significant relations with biological mercury levels. Therefore, monitoring and appropriate management of students showing high mercury levels are recommended in order to reduce their mercury exposure.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.117-129
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• 2013

Background: This study was carried out for the purpose of comprehensively evaluating the mercury exposure level of residents in several areas and the correlation between hair mercury concentration and blood mercury concentration. Method: One thousand one hundred ninety seven subjects were sampled from 30 sites using random assignment sampling. We performed a questionnaire survey and measured the level of total mercury in hair and blood samples from all subjects. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of hair and blood mercury in all subjects were 1.27 mg/kg [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-1.32 mg/kg] and 5.24 ${\mu}g/L$ [95% CI: 5.07-5.41 ${\mu}g/L$], respectively. Male (1.56 mg/kg in hair, 6.00 ${\mu}g/L$ in blood) was significantly higher than that of female (1.03 mg/kg in hair, 4.56 ${\mu}g/L$ in blood), and the concentrations were elevated as age increased up to the 50s. Education, smoking, alcohol drinking, and using of pesticides were also shown to influence mercury concentrations in hair and blood. The ratio of hair/ blood mercury concentration was 261.3. The total mercury concentration in hair was identified to be significantly related with total mercury concentration in blood (r=0.814, p<0.001). Conclusion: The geometric mean concentrations of hair and blood mercury were higher than the levels provided in international recommendations. The total mercury concentration in hair was positively correlated with the concentration in blood. The results of this study suggest that hair mercury be considered as a useful tool for the evaluation of mercury exposure.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.569-575
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• 2007

This study was carried out to determine bioaccumulation levels of total mercury on various fish tissues in two streams (Banseok and Hasin Stream) and one lake (Yeongsan Lake) during April-May 2007. We also determined natural background levels of total mercury bioaccumulation to evaluate relative individual impacts of fish and compared the levels with reference sites as a preliminary study to evaluate heavy metal stressor using fish. For the study, we collected fishes in the sampling sites and analyzed the concentrations of total mercury in the liver, kidney, gill, vertebral column, and muscle tissues using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). The levels varied depending on the types of waterbody and tissues used. Concentrations of total mercury ranged between 5.1${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 108.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the streams and between 5.3${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ and 87.3 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the reservoir, and the values were highest in the muscle tissues. Levels of natural background levels of total mercury, even though the sampling number was few, averaged 23.6 ${\mu}g$ $kg^{-1}$ in the study sites. The individual and mean values in each system was not so high in terms of US EPA criteria of fish health and human health, indicating that the impact was minor in the study site. Further studies should be done for the determination of mercury levels in the systems.