• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2009

This paper reviews the current status of mercury research on exposure and contamination, mercury emissions, emission limits and control technologies, long-range transport and deposition research, and mercury management policy in Korea. According to a monitoring of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, blood mercury levels among Koreans are $5{\sim}8$ times higher than those of U.S. and Germany. The most dominant source of exposure to mercury is through dietary intake. Emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants are estimated 8.93 ton/year in 2004. Emissions of mercury from other important sources, such as waste incineration, steel and cement manufacturing and non-ferrous metal smelting operations are to be further investigated. A study on long-range transport of mercury suggests that the dry deposition flux over the Yellow Sea was much greater than those for other oceans. As a whole, the amounts of wet depositions of nitrogen and sulfur were 1.9 and 1.5 times larger than the amounts of dry depositions in each species, respectively. Substantial influence from China caused by high emissions in East China and westerly wind was possibly suggested. However, the influence from nitrogen emission in Korea was also confirmed. Korean Government has already adopted stringent emission limits on mercury for incinerators and boilers in 2005. However, emission limits for coal-fired power plants and non-ferrous metal smelters are rather relaxed. As the above mentioned two sources can be two most important sources of mercury emissions, control strategy for those sources are to be considered.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2010

Metal ions are essential to life. However, some metals such as mercury are harmful, even when present at trace amounts. Toxicity of mercury arises mainly from its oxidizing properties. Ionizing radiation (IR) is an active tool for destruction of cancer cells and diagnosis of diseases, etc. IR induces DNA double strand breaks in the nucleus, In addition, it causes lipid peroxidation, ceramide generation, and protein oxidation in the membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Yeasts have been a commonly used material in biological research. In yeasts, the physiological response to changing environmental conditions is controlled by the cell types. Growth rate, mutation and environmental conditions affect cell size and shape distributions. In this work, the effect of IR and mercury chloride (II) on the morphology of yeast cells were investigated. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were treated with IR, mercury chloride (II) and IR combined with mercury chloride (II). Non-treated cells were used as a control group. Morphological changes were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The half-lethal condition from the previous experimental results was used to the IR combined with mercury. Yeast cells were exposed to 400 and 800 Gy at dose rates of 400Gy $hr^{-1}$ or 800 Gy $hr^{-1}$, respectively. Yeast cells were treated with 0.05 to 0.15 mM mercury chloride (II). Oxidative stress can damage cellular membranes through a lipidic peroxidation. This effect was detected in this work, after treatment of IR and mercury chloride (II). The cell morphology was modified more at high doses of IR and high concentrations of mercury chloride(II). IR and mercury chloride (II) were of the oxidative stress. Cell morphology was modified differently according to the way of oxidative stress treatment. Moreover, morphological changes in the cell membrane were more observable in the frequently stress treated cells than the temporarily stress treated cells.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2004

The emission characteristics of mercury in waste incinerators were investigated to get basic data for the policy development on the emission reduction of mercury (Hg). For the study several important factors were analysed from 4 incinerators such as mercury concentration, emission factors and removal rate for control devices. The results are listed below. Mercury concentrations in the flue gas were 0.39～5.96 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ in MWI and 2.5～8.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ in IWI. The distributions of gaseous and particulate mercury in flue gas were above 99% and below 1 %, respectively. Therefore, in order to remove mercury effectively, it is important to control the gaseous mercury. Mercury concentrations in fly ash collected from control device were found as 16.2～35.6 mg/kg- ash in FF of MWI. Also mercury concentrations at the front and back point of control device of MWI were 33.45～62.65 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥ and 0.88～3.49 $\mu\textrm{g}$/S㎥, respectively. Emission factors were estimated as 3.67～11.67 mg/ton in FF, 2.6～24.5 mg/ton in MWI with SNCR, SDR and FF, 54.9～192.7 mg/ton in IWI with Cyclone and FF. Emissions from Municipal Waste Incinerator were found both in minimum and maximum ranges. Annual mercury emissions emitted from MWI was estimated as 20.0 kg (6.0～33.9 kg).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2014

This study focused on the performance of the newly developed hybrid filter system to capture fine particulate matter and mercury compounds in a coal-fired power plant. The hybrid filter system combining bag-filter and electrostatic precipitator had been developed to remove fine particulate matter. However, it would have a good performance to control mercury compounds as well. In Hybrid filter capture system, the total removal efficiency of total mercury compounds consisting of particulate mercury ($Hg_p$), oxidized mercury ($Hg^{2+}$), and elemental mercury ($Hg^0$) was 66.2%. The speciation of mercury compounds at inlet and outlet of Hybrid filter capture system were 1.3% and 0% of $Hg_p$, 85.2% and 68.1% of $Hg^0$, and 13.5% and 31.9% of $Hg^{2+}$, respectively. In hybrid filter capture system injected with 100% of flue-gas, the removal efficiency of total mercury was calculated to increase to 93.5%.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2004

The present study was designed to determine the impact of mercury on endotoxin-induced inflammatory cytokine expression and corresponding signal transduction in mouse kidney. Male BALB/c mice were exposed continuously to 0, 0.3, 1.5, 7.5, or 37.5 ppm of mercury in drink-ing water for 14 days and at the end of the treatment period, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 2 h prior to euthanasia. The doses of mercury and LPS did not cause hepatotoxicity or renal toxicity as indicated by unaltered plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and terminal UTP nucleotide end-labeling assay from kidney, respectively. Mercury decreased kidney glutathione (GSH) and with LPS, it additively decreased GSH. Mercury activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and additively increased LPS-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. In contrast, mercury inhibited LPS-induced activation of extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but had no effect alone. Mercury increased the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TN F$\alpha$) and potentiated LPS-induced TNF$\alpha$ expression. Mercury did not affect LPS-induced interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$) expression but decreased LPS-induced IL-6 expression. These results suggest that low levels of mercury might augment LPS-induced TNF$\alpha$ expression by altering GSH and p38 MAPK. Mercury modulates LPS-induced p38 and ERK activation, and downstream TNF$\alpha$ and IL-6 expression in kidney, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 1998

This study aims to provide a better nursing service in the dimension of economizing time and human efforts. This is to present some basic knowledge necessary to improving a nursing quality in measuring body temperature by analyzing the contents that the objects experienced at the time of measure with tympanic thermometer and mercury thermometer Subjects of the survey consisted of 71 college students, 47 adult patients and 40 pediatric patients. The results were as follows : 1. The oral temperature by mercury thermometer and tympanic thermometer with oral mode was : $36.83^{\circ}C$ by mercury thermometer and $37.02^{\circ}C$ by tympanic thermometer in college students : it showed an significant difference statistically. 2. Comparsion between oral mode and rectal mode by tympanic thermometer in college students : $37.03^{\circ}C$ by oral mode and $37.55^{\circ}C$ by rectal mode and this defference was significant statistically 3. Comparision between rectal temperature by mercury thermometer and rectal mode of tympanic thermometer : $37.54^{\circ}C$ by mercury thermometer and $37.73^{\circ}C$ by tympanic thermometer, it showed a significant difference statistically. 4. Comparision between oral temperature by mercury thermometer and oral mode of tympanic thermometer of the pediatric patients : $36.51^{\circ}C$ by mercury temperature and $36.94^{\circ}C$ by tympanic thermometer, it showed a significant difference statistically. 5. Comparision between oral body temperature by mercury thermometer and oral mode of tympanic thermometer of the adult patients : $36.56^{\circ}C$ by mercury thermometer and $36.90^{\circ}C$ by tympanic thermometer, it did not show statistically any difference. 6. At the measure by mercury thermometer this data can classified In three main categorise : their feeling to a thermometer, thermometer itself and aspect physical of the clients. It is considered that an subjective experience to tympanic thermometer was more positive.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2018

The Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force on August 16, 2017. It requires Parties to the Convention to control and, where feasible, reduce mercury emissions from the listed sources. To implement the Convention, Japan amended the Air Pollution Control Law and added clauses that force operators to control their mercury emissions below emission limit values (ELVs). The ELVs have been established separately for new and existing sources, targeting the source categories listed in the Convention: coal-fired boilers, smelting and roasting processes used in the production of non-ferrous metals (lead, zinc, copper and industrial gold), waste incineration facilities and cement clinker production facilities. The factors used to establish the ELVs include the present state of mercury emissions from the targeted categories as well as the mercury content in fuels and materials, best available techniques (BATs) and best environmental practices (BEPs) to control and reduce mercury emissions and ELVs or equivalent standards to control mercury emissions in other countries. In this regard, extensive data on mercury emissions from flue gas and the mercury content of fuels and materials were collected and analyzed. The established ELVs range from $8{\mu}g/Nm^3$ for new coal-fired boilers to $400{\mu}g/Nm^3$ for existing secondary smelting processes used in the production of copper, lead and zinc. This paper illustrates the ELVs for the targeted source categories, explaining the rationales and approaches used to set the values. The amended Law is to be enforced on April 1, 2018. From future perspectives, checks of the material flow of mercury, following up on the state of compliance, review of the ELVs and of the measurement and monitoring methods have been noted as important issues.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.377-386
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was carried out for the purpose of evaluating the blood mercury concentration of the residents of Busan, Korea, as well as the relationship between the mercury concentration and the pattern of fish consumption along with other epidemiological factors. Methods: Two hundred ninety-three subjects (147 men and 146 women), who were aged 40 years or more, were recruited into this study between June and October 2009. The mean age of the subjects was 54.3 years (with a range of 40-70 years). Mercury concentrations in blood samples were measured using a gold-amalgam collection method. Results: The geometric mean concentration of mercury in the total subjects was $8.63\;{\mu}g/L$ [range: $1.48{\sim}45.71\;{\mu}g/L$]. The blood mercury concentration of the men ($9.55\;{\mu}g/L$) was significantly higher than that of the women ($7.76\;{\mu}g/L$). The blood mercury concentration of those who eat fish more than 4 times per week was higher than others, and was statistically significant (male p = 0.0019, female p = 0.0002). According to the multiple analysis, the blood mercury concentration was significantly affected by the consumed fish but other epidemiological factors were not related. Conclusions: It was found that the subjects who have consumed a large amount of fish may have high blood mercury concentration. It appears that fish consumption can influence blood mercury concentration. Therefore, guidelines for fish consumption that will decrease blood mercury concentration might be necessary in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.268-277
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• 2012

Objectives: 1) To determine mercury levels in urine samples from garbage workers in Southern Thailand, and 2) to describe the association between work characteristics, work positions, behavioral factors, and acute symptoms; and levels of mercury in urine samples. Methods: A case-control study was conducted by interviewing 60 workers in 5 hazardous-waste-management factories, and 60 matched non-exposed persons living in the same area of Southern Thailand. Urine samples were collected to determine mercury levels by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometer mercury analyzer. Results: The hazardous-waste workers' urinary mercury levels (10.07 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) were significantly higher than the control group (1.33 ${\mu}g/g$ creatinine) (p < 0.001). Work position, duration of work, personal protective equipment (PPE), and personal hygiene, were significantly associated with urinary mercury level (p < 0.001). The workers developed acute symptoms - of head-aches, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, and loss of consciousness at least once a week - and those who developed symptoms had significantly higher urinary mercury levels than those who did not, at p < 0.05. A multiple regression model was constructed. Significant predictors of urinary mercury levels included hours worked per day, days worked per week, duration of work (years), work position, use of PPE (mask, trousers, and gloves), and personal hygiene behavior (ate snacks or drank water at work, washed hands before lunch, and washed hands after work). Conclusion: Changing garbage workers' hygiene habits can reduce urinary mercury levels. Personal hygiene is important, and should be stressed in education programs. Employers should institute engineering controls to reduce urinary mercury levels among garbage workers.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.349-357
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• 2015

Objectives: The 2007 Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in the Human Body found the highest blood mercury levels nationwide among residents in Seoksan-ri, Goro-myeon, Gunwi-gun, Gyeonsangbuk-do. With the aim to reduce the blood mercury levels of residents in this region, we conducted this study to identify the association between mercury exposure levels and shark meat consumption. Methods: This survey was conducted with 118 participants in Seoksan-ri before the Chuseok festival and 113 residents were added afterwards. Information on participants was collected via questionnaires. Total mercury concentrations in biological samples were measured using a mercury analyzer with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: To identify this, we conducted mercury exposure level analysis before and after the Chuseok festival and found that blood and urinary mercury levels after Chuseok (GM of $6.9{\mu}g/L$ in blood and $1.68{\mu}g/g$_cr in urine) were higher than those before (GM of $5.29{\mu}g/L$ in blood and $1.44{\mu}g/g$_cr in urine). This area maintains a custom of using shark meat as one of the ancestral rite foods, and the performance of such rites and shark meat consumption have been identified as main sources of mercury exposure. Other than this, smoking, dental amalgam treatment and residential period in the area also contributed to an increase in mercury exposure levels. On the other hand, recent consumption of oriental medicine and vaccination did not have a significant influence on mercury levels. Conclusion: The results were attributed to the local custom of consuming shark meat with high mercury concentrations during rituals taking place during the festival and ancestral rites. Given that the blood mercury levels in 23.2% of the residents exceeded the HBM II values recommended by the German Commission on Human Biological Monitoring, it is suggested that further appropriate actions and follow-up measures be taken to reduce the mercury exposure levels of the residents that exceeded the reference values.