• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.75-84
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• 2018

This study investigated the pollution status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzopyran, which is a harmful substance, in convergence herbal pills distributed in Seoul. During 2010 ~ 2013, 31 items and 93 samples were collected from the herbal medicines vendors in Seoul, and the samples were extracted, filtered, concentrated, and then spun out with SPE (Sep-pak florisil) and concentrated again and analyzed by liquid chromatography. The results of the analysis showed that the average contents of PAHs were below $10{\mu}g/kg$, and the PAHs were lower than those of daily life exposure, and MOEs was evaluated as safe to a negligible level. In the future, comparative fusion studies on the harmful substances of medicinal pills and food pills are needed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2021

Hazardous substances are formed during food manufacturing, processing, or cooking, and may pose a threat to food safety. Here, we present a dietary exposure assessment of Korean consumer's intake of hazardous materials through a Total Diet Study (TDS) which was conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The levels of exposure to materials such as acrylamide, furan, biogenic amines, etc., were estimated and risk assessments were then performed. Acrylamide and furan were selected as hazards with high priority of reduction control due to their having a margin of exposure (MOE) lower than 10,000. Risk assessment of exposure to ethyl carbamate, benzene and 3-MCPD showed MOEs higher than 100,000, indicating "safe". Dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene was also found to be safe MOE levels >10,000. In addition, the results indicated safe MOEs (>1,000,000) for heterocyclic amines, nitrosamines, and biogenic amines. Most of the potential food contaminants were being kept at safe levels, however, it is necessary to continue to monitor and control exposure levels in accordance with the 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) principle.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.541-548
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• 2010

In this study, contamination levels of 7 N-nitrosamine were investigated in processed meat products (n=51), processed fish products (n=62), salted fish pickles (n=20), and beer and malt beverages (n=21) using a GC/PCI-MS/MS method. The limits of detection (LOD) of the N-nitrosamines ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 ${\mu}g$/kg. In addition, methods were used to estimate the recovery of 7 N-nitrosamines, which ranged from 84 to 112%. N-nitrosamines were detected in 89 (58%) out of 154 samples. The exposure of an entire population group to N-nitrosamines through food intake was estimated using the average body weight of the total population and average daily food consumption, to perform risk assessment based on reports of a national health and nutrition survey. The results indicated that the daily intake of N-nitrosamines over a life time was $4.92{\times}10^{-7}$ mg/kg b.w./day. The margin of exposure (MOE) for the general population, estimated using the benchmark dose lower confidence limit 10 ($BMDL_{10}$) of N-nitrosodimethylamine, was 208,939, which was found to be safe.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.244-250
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• 2017

Dimethylamine (DMA), nitrate, nitrite, and biogenic amines (BA) are precursors of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines. This study investigated contamination levels of DMA, nitrate, nitrite, and BA in various types of Korean commercial kimchi such as Baechu kimchi, Kkakduki, Chonggak kimchi, Matkimchi, ripened Baechu kimchi, and Baek kimchi. The average DMA, nitrate, and nitrite levels in Baechu kimchi were 29.7, 2,178.8, and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively. Low levels of DMA and nitrate were detected in Kkakduki. Tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, and spermidine were detected in kimchi with exclusion of Baek kimchi and Chonggak kimchi. Tryptamine in Baek kimchi was only present in trace amount, and spermidine was not detected in Chonggak kimchi. The average tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, and spermidine levels in Baechu kimchi were 15.0, 64.6, 18.0, 44.0, and 7.8 mg/kg, respectively. A low level of tyramine was detected in Kkakduki. In addition, contamination of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was detected in Kkakduki at a level of $1.38{\mu}g/kg$. Daily exposure to NDMA in the consumer only group was estimated using average daily Kkakduki consumption and average body weight of the total population. The estimated daily intake of NDMA by Kkakduki was $2.31{\times}10^{-7}mg/kg\;b.w./d.$ The margin of exposure to NDMA for the general population was 259,924. Accordingly, the health risk from NDMA caused by intake of Kkakduki was considered to be very low.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.322-334
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• 2024

This study investigated the content of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) and SO₂ and conducted a risk assessment of 1,340 samples of 60 herbs used for food and medicine in Seoul between 2019 and 2023. The analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a mercury analyzer, and the Monier-Williams method. The mean values and ranges of the heavy metals were as follows: Pb, 0.327 mg/kg (not detectable [ND]-36.933); Cd, 0.083 mg/kg (ND-1.700); As, 0.075 mg/kg (ND-2.200); and Hg, 0.004 mg/kg (ND-0.047). Pb exceeded the permissible limit of 36.933 mg/kg in one sample of Poria Sclerotium. Cd exceeded the permissible limit of 1.700 mg/kg and 0.650 mg/kg in the two samples of Chrysanthemi Zawadskii Herba. The mean and range of SO₂ was 0.75 mg/kg (ND-192.00), with two samples of Gastrodiae Rhizoma exceeding the permissible limit at 192.00 mg/kg and 42.00 mg/kg. Pb was highest in the perithecium (1.377 mg/kg), followed by Cd in the cortex (0.156 mg/kg) and caulis (0.144 mg/kg), As in leaves (0.149 mg/kg), and Hg in the herba (0.009 mg/kg) and leaves (0.009 mg/kg). SO₂ was the highest in the rhizomes (4.12 mg/kg). The Pb, Cd, and Hg levels did not differ significantly between the domestic, Chinese, and imported products; however, As and SO₂ levels were the highest in the Chinese products. As a result of the risk assessment, all the margins of exposure (MOE) values of Pb, except for Poria Sclerotium, were ≥1, indicating that most samples were safe. The hazard index (HI) for Cd, As, and Hg were <100%, indicating a safety level for food and medicine. In addition, the HI for SO₂ did not exceed 1 for any of the items, indicating safe levels.