• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the mercury concentration of restaurant meals and to estimate the total dietary intake of mercury. Experimental subjects were 66 cases in 11 kinds of common restaurant meals collected from the Seoul area. Total mercury was determined by Hg-analyzer and two kinds of atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results were as follows: 1. Mean value of mercury contents in fluid of meals was about 0.002 ppm and there was no significant difference between the two methods. 2. Mercury concentration of residue by AAS was significantly higher than that by Hg-analyzer. The mean values of mercury concentration were 2.423 ppm, 10.229 ppm and 11.655 ppm by Hg-analyzer, AAS-PE and AAS-Hi, respectively. 3. Dietary intake of mercury from the meals was estimated $7.806\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by Hg-analyzer and 31.290, $35.349\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$ by two kinds of AAS. The values were lower than the FAO/WHO limit, $42.9\;\mu\textrm{g}/day$.

• 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%.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 1991

This study was carried out to determine the contamination level of heavy mentals in canned fishes on the market. Contents of tin, lead, iron and zinc were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophtometer. Contents of total mercury were determined by mercury analyzer. The results were as follows. 1. The highest value of tin was $1.7706{\pm}0.3216$pprn in canned yellow pin & skip jack(mix) tuna, the lowest was 1.2109 ${\pm}$ 0.0769ppm in canned mackerel pike. 2. The highest value of lead was 0.1657 ${\pm}$ 0.0530 pprn in canned yellow pin tuna, the lowest was 0.0335k 0.0100 pprn in canned mackerel pike. 3. The highest value of iron and zinc was 22.5943 ${\pm}$ 0.7945 ppm and 13.4556 ${\pm}$ 0.6774 pprn in canned sardine fish, the lowest was 4.3514 ${\pm}$ 0.3607 pprn and 3.8773 ${\pm}$ 0.1914 pprn in canned albacore tuna. 4. The total mercury contents was detected 0.0531~0.3386 pprn in three kinds of canned tuna and could not be detected with the others.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2010

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were determined in 15 commonly consumed aquatic food species using total mercury analyzer and gas chromatography with electron capture detector. The mean total mercury and methylmercury concentrations (mg/kg) were 0.088 and 0.034 in mackerel, 0.061 and 0.016 in hair tail, 0.030 and 0.005 in yellow croaker, 0.032 and 0.008 in Alaska pollock, 0.059 and 0.023 in eastern catfish, 0.110 and 0.045 in snakehead, 0.030 and 0.011 in Japanese common squid, 0.026 and 0.009 in common octopus, 0.035 and 0.008 in swimming crab, 0.009 and not detected (ND) in oyster, 0.011 and ND in shortneck clam, 0.008 and ND in mussel, 0.018 and ND in sea mustard, 0.007 and ND in nori, and 0.019 and ND in sea tangle, respectively. The total weekly dietary intakes of total mercury and methylmercury were estimated, respectively, using food consumption data from diet surveys and the concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury from this study. They were $0.178\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (b.w.)/week (3.57% of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI)) and $0.052\;{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week (3.34% of PTWI) respectively, and all were within their respective PTWI set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Therefore, considering that the main contributor to mercury intake in the diet is aquatic foods and that the 15 aquatic food species examined in this study are highly consumed, it is concluded that the mercury levels in the foods measured in this study do not present a concern for consumer health.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2015

Objectives: Blood mercury levels among adults living in certain areas of the Gyeongsang Provinces have been shown to be very high (Kunwee County $29.6{\mu}g/L$, Yeongcheon-city $26.7{\mu}g/L$). The purpose of this project was to determine mercury exposure levels in schoolchildren and factors related with their mercury levels in high mercury exposure areas identifyed by the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey. Methods: From June to September 2010, 1,097 students from grades 3 to 6 at 19 elementary schools participated in this study, including 294 students from 10 elementary schools in Kunwee County, 529 students from Yeongcheon City, 122 students from two elementary schools in Pohang City, North Gyeongsang Province, and 152 students from two elementary schools in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Biological samples from schoolchildren, including whole blood, urine and hair, were collected to measure total mercury at the time of a health check up. Information about children was collected by questionnaire. Total mercury concentrations in blood were measured using the Direct Mercury Analyzer 80 with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: The mean mercury levels were $2.70{\mu}g/L$ in 1,091 blood samples, $2.25{\mu}g/g-creat.$ in 820 urine samples and $1.03{\mu}g/g$ in 1,064 hair samples. Blood mercury levels in the schoolchildren was slightly higher than the result of $2.4{\mu}g/L$ from a 2006 survey of elementary school children on exposure and health effects of mercury by the National Institute of Environmental Research. However, 0.3% and 4.5% of participants exceeded the reference level of blood mercury by CHBMII ($15{\mu}g/L$) and the US EPA ($5.8{\mu}g/L$), respectively. The reference level of urine by CHBMII ($20{\mu}g/L$) was exceeded by 0.4% of participants. As factors, residence period in the study areas, residence type, father's education level and income all showed significant associations with mercury level in the biological samples. The number of dental amalgam sides showed an association with urine mercury. Fish intake preference and fish intake frequency were important factors in mercury levels. In particular, intake of shark meat and recent intake of shark meat were associated with higher mercury levels. In this regard, participation in the performance of an ancestral rite showed a relation with higher mercury levels. Conclusion: The intake of shark meat was very important factor to high mercury exposure level. It is recommended to monitor and manage students with high mercury exposures who exceeded CHBM II and EPA guidelines, and include blood mercury testing in the Children's Health check up for this province.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.4 no.1 s.6
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• pp.53-60
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• 1989

This study was performed to investigate the contents of heavy metals in Anguilla japonica habiting in Korea. The samples were collected along by Nak Tongriver, Young San river and culture farms. Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium were tested by the Atomic Absoption Spectrop-hotometer after wet digestion, Mercury was tested by using mercury analyzer. The results were as follows: 1. Aresenic, Copper contents in the four parts were the higest values in liver 2. In total mercury contents of the each parts, the higest value was detected in muscle. 3. In all metals, Zinc and Manganese were detected with high contents, Mecury and Cadmium were detected with low contents. Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, chromiumi, Manganese were detected with high in bone. 4, The difference was not significant between natural and feeding Anguilla Japonica, but significant correlation with parts.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 1993

This study was carried out to find out the content of injurious heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic of marine fish which had been captured in adjacent sea of Korea. From March, 1 to April, 30 in 1993. 60 sample of fishes were collected the adult fish and young fish. These samples were analyzed by the Mercury Analyzer and Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectro Analyzer. The results of the study were summarized as follows: (1) The content of mercury in Therafra chalcograma was 0.112$\pm$0.034 ppm which was higher than other fishes, but Pseudosciaena manchurica and Pampus argenteus had lower (P<0.05). Although lead content of Trichiurus lepturus was 0.359$\pm$0.056 ppm, which was higher than other fishes. The lead content of Theragra chalcograma had lower to the almost same level. The cadmium content of the Theragra chalcograma was 0.069$\pm$0.010 ppm which was higher than other samples, but Pseudosciaena manchurica had 0.039$\pm$0.020 ppm to lower level. Though there was some fluctuation in the arsenic content which was 0.433~3.752 ppm, the arsenic content of Therafra chalcograma was 3.752$\pm$2.873 ppm which was the higher than any other fishes. But there are not statistical significances. (2) Heavy metal content by the maturity of the fishes: Mercury content of the old Pseudosciaena manchurica was 0.055$\pm$0.15 ppm comparing to the young's result of 0.030$\pm$0.009 ppm (P<0.05). Though there were some differences according to the maturity, but thee was no statistical significance. (3) In view of the correlation of the heavy metal content, for Pseudosciaena manchurica, high correlation was founded to r=0.6437 between mercury and cadmium (P<0.05). Though the content of mercury, arsenic cadmium and lead had positive correlation (r=0.2725) and negative correlation (r=-0.3958), but there was no significance at all. The other fishes were not found correlation between the heavy metal content. Positive correlation was found between age with mercury in Pseudociaena manchurica (r=0.7018, P<0.05). The negative correlation of age with lead content in the Pseudociaena Manchurica was signigicant (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient was r=-0.7623. The age with mercury content in Coloabis saira had high correlation (r=0.7201, P<0.05). Through the above analysis, it can get conclusion that injurious heavy metal content of the fishes in Korea such a mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic were at the level of natural content. At present, guidelines of maximum residue level allowed at foreign countries about the injurious heavy metal have been used according to the kinds of fish but our government guideline for the marine fishes in only total mercury below 0.7 ppm and lead below 2 ppm. So more aggressive guidelines for the allowance level of heavy metals in marine fishes are required for the safety of foods.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine total mercury and methyl mercury level in fishes (Deep-sea Fish, Tuna, Billfish) and fishery products. A total of 101 fishes and 44 fishery products samples collected from commercial market in Gyeonggi-do. Total mercury were analysed by mercury analyzer and methyl mercury were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. In the fishes, total mercury was detected in all samples and methylmercury was detected in 92 samples of them. The detection rate of methylmercury was 91.1% in fishes. The mean concentration (mg/kg) of total mercury and methylmercury were $1.968{\pm}0.505/0.496{\pm}0.057$ for Billfish, $0.665{\pm}0.091/0.252{\pm}0.033$ for Deep-sea Fish and $0.577{\pm}0.085/0.218{\pm}0.025$ for Tuna, respectively. The Swordfish contains the highest level of total mercury (1.968 mg/kg) and methylmercury (0.496 mg/kg). In Mabled rockfish, the ratio of methylmercury's contents about total mercury's contents was the highest as 66.5%. In case of fishery products, frozens made of 100% of raw material contained the highest level of total mercury and methyl mercury. The weekly intake of total mercury and methylmercury was calculated in 4.72% and 5.24% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) respectively. This study showed that the weekly intake of methylmercury from Deep-sea Fish, Tuna and Billfish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives.