• 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 Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.506-509
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify transition characteristics of mercury in several selected medicinal plants and to find the appropriate management for production of safety food. Cultivated soils and medicinal plants were collected at 29 sites for Angelica gigas (Korean angelica root), 68 sites for Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon flower), 35 sites for codonopsis lanceolata (Deoduck), 36 sites for Dioscorea batatas (Chinese yam), 32 sites for Rehmannia glutinosa (Foxglove), 16 sites for Cnidium officinale makino (cnidium), and 26 sites for Astragalus membranaceus (milk vetch root) during the harvest season of 2013. Mercury in the soils and medicinal roots were analyzed with a Direct Mercury Analyzer. Average content of mercury in soils cultivated medicinal plants was $0.023mg\;kg^{-1}$ (range: from 0.003 to $0.074mg\;kg^{-1}$) and average content of mercury in medicinal plants was $0.003mg\;kg^{-1}$ (range: from 0.001 to $0.011mg\;kg^{-1}$), indicating that mercury in the surveyed soils and medicinal plants were not exceeded the Korean regulation.

• 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 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 Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.6-14
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• 2008

Objective of this study was to investigate the residual levels of mercury (Hg) in soil for "Top-rice" area and its uptake into rice plant for making sure food safety as compared to "Top-rice" & common rice produced from 2005 to 2006. Hg was analyzed with the direct mercury analyzer (DMA 80, Milestone, Italy), which implements the US/EPA method 7473. The average concentration of Hg in paddy soil was 0.031 mg/kg, which was below at 1/25-1/65 fold of the threshold levels (concern level 4 mg/kg, action level 10 mg/kg) for soil contamination designated by "The Soil Environment Conservation Law" in Korea. The maximum residue level (MRLs) for Hg residue in the polished rice is not designated in Korea. Therefore, Hg contents in the polished rice of "Top-rice" brand and common rice were compared to other country's criteria. Hg contents in the polished rice of "Top-rice" brand was 0.0018 mg/kg, which was lower at 1/10-1/30 fold than the MRLs, 0.02 mg/kg of China criteria and 0.05 mg/kg of Taiwan criteria, respectively. Hg were 0.02788, 0.00896, 0.00182, 0.00189, 0.00166, 0.00452 and 0.00145 mg/kg in soil, rice straw, unhulled rice, rice hulls, brown rice, rice bran, and polished rice produced in 2006 "Top-rice" area, respectively. For the ratio of Hg as compared to Hg contents in soil, there were 0.321 of rice straw ${\gg}$ 0.162 of rice bran ${\gg}$ 0.068 of rice hulls > 0.065 of unhulled rice > 0.060 of brown rice> 0.052 of polished rice. And, the slope of Hg uptakes was steeped as following order; rice straw ${\gg}$ rice bran ${\gg}$ rice hulls > unhulled rice > brown rice > polished rice. It means that the more slope steeped was the more uptakes. For the distribution of Hg uptaken, there was 83.8% into rice straw, and 16.2% into unhulled rice, 2.8% into rice hulls, 12.4% into brown rice, 3.5% into rice bran and 9.7% into polished rice. Consequently, it was appeared that the Hg contamination in the polished rice should not be worried in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.450-464
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• 2016

Objectives: This study developed and validated reference materials (RMs) to analyze metal compounds in blood. Methods: We referred to KoNEHS (Korea National Environmental Health Survey) to estimate concentrations of blood metals (cadmium, Cd; lead, Pb; mercury, Hg) and applied analytical methods (inductively coupled plasma - mass spectroscopy, ICP-MS, for Cd and Pb; graphite furnace - atomic absorption spectrometry, GF-AAS, for Cd and Pb; and direct mercury analyzer, DMA, for Hg). Homogeneity and stability tests were carried out. In addition, certified values and uncertainties of RMs were calculated through internal and external experiments. All RMs were developed and assessed in various forms according to element, analytical method, and two types of concentration levels high concentration for occupational exposure and low concentration for environmental exposure. Results: All samples showed acceptable homogeneity, except for low concentration of Cd in the GF-AAS method. Short- and long-term stabilities were satisfied by ANOVA testing. In the inter-laboratory comparison, robust medians were lower than the certified values of all RMs (robust median/reference value; $1.301/1.327{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, low concentration; $3.152/3.388{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, ICP-MS, high concentration; $1.219/1.301{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, low concentration; $3.074/3.321{\mu}g/L$ for Cd, GF-AAS, high concentration; $14.473/14.516{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, low concentration; $50.069/50.114{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, ICP-MS, high concentration; $12.881/14.147{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, low concentration; $47.015/47.591{\mu}g/L$ for Pb, GF-AAS, high concentration; $4.059/4.218{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, low concentration; $11.474/11.181{\mu}g/L$ for Hg, DMA, high concentration). Conclusion: This study demonstrates procedures for developing and validating RMs for biomonitoring in the field of the environmental health.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ecosystem of Yeongsan Lake using physical, chemical, and biological indicators. We evaluated the integrative ecosystem health using Lentie Ecosystem Health Assessment (LEHA) model, Qualitative Health Evaluation Index (QHEI) model, and chemical water quality. The models of LEHA and QHEI were modified as 10 and 7 metries attributes, respectively. Also, we analyzed bioaccumulation of total mercury on various fish tissues by method of U.S. EPA 7473 using Direct Mercury Analyzer (Model DMA-80). Model values of LEHA model averaged 19 (range: $14{\sim}26$, n=15), which indicated a "poor" condition, and had slightly spatial variations. Values of the QHEI in the all sites averaged 72, which were judged as a "fair" to "good" condition. The QHEI values varied from 48 (fair condition) to 99 (good condition) and showed large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Conductivity and salinity were increased from the up-lake to downlake reach. Analysis of total mercury in fish tissues showed that levels of total Hg ranged between 0.002 and $0.087\;mg\;L^{-1}$ depending on the types of tissues. Overall, the ecosystem health in the Yeongsan Lake was judged as a "poor" and the effects of bioaccumulation on the fish tissues were minor. Therefore, it is necessary to keep an efficient management for the lake environment to maintain their ecological health.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

This research was a preliminary case study to determine the levels of total mercury in the tissues of sentinel species (Zacco platypus) and ecological health in relation to habitat characteristics and chemical conditions. We collected fishes in Gap Stream during June$\sim$October 2007 and analyzed the total mercury from five types of tissues such as liver, kidney, gill, vertebrae and muscle of Zaceo platypus using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). Mean concentrations of total [Hg], based on all tissues, was 67.2 and $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, in the upstream and downstream site, respectively, indicating 3 times greater level in the upstream. In other words, the levels were higher in the pristine upstream than the downstream influenced by the wastewater disposal plant. Chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD and nutrients (TN, TP) showed that severe degradation occurred in the downstreams than the upstreams. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish multi-metric model averaged 32, indicating a "good$\sim$fair" condition and varied from 42 (excellent$\sim$good) at S2 to 22 (fair$\sim$poor) at S5 depending on the sites sampled. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in the all sites averaged 142, which was judged as "good" habitat health, but showed a high variation (181 in Site 2 vs. 67 in Site 5). Overall data suggest that health conditions, based on IBI and QHEI, was better in the upstream sites but the mercury bioaccumulation levels in the fish tissues were opposite. We believe that measurements of various parameters are required for a diagnosis of integrative ecosystem health.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.230-234
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• 2011

According to the Codex committee, the maximum allowable level for lead in fruits is 0.1 mg/kg. This survey was conducted as a surveillance program following the establishment of safety guideline for fruits in Korea. Concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) were measured in 927 samples using a ICP-MS and a mercury analyzer. The recoveries of microwave digestion method were 86.0-110.4% for Pb, 81.0-104.0% for Cd and 82.0-104.7% for As by standard addition method. The recovery of direct mercury analyzer was 106.5% for Hg. The average levels of Pb in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $10.0{\pm}12.8$ for apple, $8.8{\pm}10.9$ for pear, $4.1{\pm}4.4$ for persimmons, $14.9{\pm}12.3$ for mandarin, $7.1{\pm}6.5$ for orange, $3.1{\pm}3.3$ for banana, $8.8{\pm}8.9$ for kiwi, and $9.3{\pm}9.7$ for mango. The average levels of Cd in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $0.4{\pm}0.3$ for apple, $2.0{\pm}1.6$ for pear, $0.3{\pm}0.3$ for persimmon, $0.1{\pm}0.1$ for mandarin, $0.1{\pm}0.1$ for orange, $1.3{\pm}1.8$ for banana, $0.5{\pm}0.5$ for kiwi, and $0.7{\pm}0.6$ for mango. The average levels of As in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $2.0{\pm}2.1$ for apple, $1.2{\pm}1.3$ for pear, $1.5{\pm}1.2$ for persimmon, $0.8{\pm}0.3$ for mandarin, $1.5{\pm}0.5$ for orange, $1.8{\pm}1.2$ for banana, $1.6{\pm}1.5$ for kiwi, and $1.2{\pm}1.5$ for mango. The average levels of Hg in ${\mu}g/kg$ were $0.5{\pm}0.4$ for apple, $0.3{\pm}0.2$ for pear, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for persimmon, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for mandarin, $0.2{\pm}0.1$ for orange, $0.2{\pm}0.0$ for banana, $0.2{\pm}0.2$ for kiwi, and $0.6{\pm}0.2$ for mango. Based on the Korean public nutrition report 2005, these levels (or amounts) are calculated only at 0.17% for Pb, 0.013% for Cd and 0.006% for Hg of those presented in provisional tolerable weekly Intake (PTWI) which has been established by FAO/WHO. Therefore, the levels presented here are presumed to be adequately safe.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2012

This study has attempted to establish an analysis method through validation against heavy metals in the body (Pb, Cd and Hg) using ICP-MS and Gold amalgamation and find out the relevance between heavy metal and Alzheimer's disease after analyzing the distribution of heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg) and correlations between a control group and Alzheimer's disease group. In this study, Pb and Cd levels in the blood and serum were validation using ICP-MS. For analysis of Hg levels in the blood and serum, the gold amalgamation-based 'Direct Mercury Analyzer' has been used. According to an analysis on the heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg concentration) in the blood, Cd concentration was high in the Alzheimer's disease group. In the serum, on the contrary, Pb and Hg were high in the Alzheimer's disease group. For analysis of correlations between heavy metal levels in the blood and serum and Alzheimer's disease, t-test has been performed. Even though correlations were observed between the blood lead levels and Alzheimer's disease, they were statistically insignificant because the concentration was higher in a control group. No significance was found in Cd and Hg. In the serum, on the other hand, no statistical significance was found between the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, no statistical significance was observed between heavy metal and decrease in cognitive intelligence. However, it appears that a further study needs to be performed because the results of the conventional studies were inconsistent.