• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.71-80
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• 2001

Blood and urine mercury level of three workers were monitored during 60~80 days after high exposure to mercury at the silver refining plant. Mercury was used to form silver-mercury amalgam from plating sludge. Workers were exposed to mercury about 70 days at the several processes, such as hand held weaving, vibration table, and heating from the furnace. mercury was analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy-vapor generation technique. Recovery from the biological sample was 95.51% and pooled standard deviation was 0.033. At the time of study, there was no work at the workplace. So, airborne mercury concentration was measured with area sampling 5 days after the work, ranged from 0.1459 to 1.2351 mg/㎥(Arithmatic mean 0.4711 mg/㎥, Geometric mean 0.3566 mg/㎥) at the inside of the plant, that is far above the ACGIH's TLV(0.025 mg/㎥) and ranged from 0.0073 to 0.0330 mg/㎥ at the outdoor. Blood mercury levels at the beginning of the monitoring were 4~14 times greater than the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Biological Exposure Index(ACGIH BEI, 15 ug/L). Blood mercury levels were decreased logarithmically, that is, rapidly at the high level and slowly at the low level but sustained above the level of the ACGIH BEI 60~80 days after the work. Urine mercury levels at the beginning of the monitoring were 8~16 times greater than the ACGIH BEI(35 ug/g creatinine). Urine mercury levels were decreased logarithmically, but correlation between urine level and off-days were lower than those of blood. Decreasing pattern of blood mercury levels were little affected than that of urine levels when the chelating agent, D-penicillamine, was administered. There was correlation between blood mercury level and urine mercury level(0.81~0.83) but it didn\`t mean that the highest blood mercury level corresponded the highest urine mercury level. In our study, Case 1 always shows the highest level in urine but case 3 always shows the highest level in blood. Creatinine correction represented better correlations between urine mercury levels and blood levels, and between urine levels and off-days rather than by urine volume. Spot urine sampling had a wide variation than that of whole day urine sampling. So, We recommend spot urine sampling for screening and whole day urine sampling for exact diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2010

For the purpose of evaluating to remove elemental mercury using SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalysts, the result of the concentration variation of elemental mercury in lab experiment and field measurement was compared. The effect of the elemental mercury oxidation on commercial catalysts was studied in simulated gas. Three species of SCR catalyst, $V_2O_5-TiO_2$ type, were selected. The elemental mercury reduced 30% without HCl gas in SCR operating condition. But the width of reduction increased 60% at 20 ppm HCl gas. According to the result of field measurement, reduction rate of elemental mercury at SCR outlet showed 60%. The total mercury concentration decreased about 20%. The results were similar to the lab test. The results of chemical analysis of test sample showed increase of mercury concentration but surface change was not observed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 1982

Normal range of mercury contents in blood and its relationship with urinary mercury excretion were studies with 68 healthy male adults living in Seoul city, who had no obvious evidence of .either occupational exposure to mercury or therapeutic use of mercurial agents. Mercury analysis was made by means of dithizone colorimetric method with coefficient of variation of 10.9% in .an average ranging from 5.1% to 18.0%. 1. Mercury contents in normal human blood were both normally and log-normally distributed, and better fitted to the latter. 2. Geometric mean and standard deviation of the mercury contents were $24.0(log^{-1}1.38){\pm}1.66{\mu}g/100ml(log^{-1}0.22{\mu}g/100ml)$ ranging from 7.2 to 79.7 ${\mu}g/100ml$ with 95% confidence interval. 3. Mercury contents in normal human blood differed from person to person (p<0.01), and the variability of the measurements was negligible (p>0.05). 4. Mercury in the blood was contained much higher in erythrocytes than in plasma (p<0.01), showing the geometric means of $21.0{\pm}1.25{\mu}g/100ml$ in red blood cells and $14.3{\pm}1.62{\mu}g/100ml$ in plasma, respectively. 5. Mercury contents in normal human blood had a relationship of power function with mercury excretion in urine corrected with a gram of creatinine excretion per liter of urine (p<0.10).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2004

Mercury is a widespread metal and consequently there are large populations that currently exposed to low levels of mercury. Endotoxin is a component of the gram-negative bacteria and promotes inflammatory responses. The present study was designed to determine the impact of mercury on lymphocytes phenotype populations and endotoxin-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in immune organ, spleen and thymus. Male BALB/c mice were exposed continuously to 0, 0.3, 1.5, 7.5, or 37.5 ppm of mercuric chloride in drinking 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 dose-range of mercury used did not cause hepatotoxicity. Mercury at 7.5 and 37.5 ppm dose-dependently decreased CD3$^{+}$ T lymphocytes in spleen; both CD4$^{+}$ and CD8$^{+}$ single positive lymphocyte populations were decreased. Exposure to 7.5 and 37.5 ppm of mercury decreased the CD8$^{+}$ T lymphocyte population in the thymus, whereas double positive CD4$^{+}$ / CD8$^{+}$ and CD4$^{+}$ thymocytes were not altered. Mercury altered LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine gene expressions such as, tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$, interferon ${\gamma}$, and interleukin-12 in spleen and thymus. Results indicated that decreases in T lymphocyte populations in immune organs and altered cytokine gene expression may contribute to the immune-modulative effects of inorganic mercury.ganic mercury.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.652-656
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• 2014

Mercury amount in vapor phase from 3 types of CFL(compact fluorescent lamp) are estimated by measuring mercury concentration in vapor phase. The mercury concentration in vapor phase from CFL is sharply decreased during initial time and then the change in the mercury concentration is slightly decreased up to 24 hours. The mercury concentration in vapor phase is almost constant after 42 hours, which can be called by stabilized concentration. It can be estimated that the stabilized concentration is caused by the evaporation of mercury in the residues of broken CFL and can be affected by temperature and pressure in crushing apparatus. The mercury concentration for CFL manufactures are in the order of A < B < C as the same results of the initial mercury concentration and the stabilized concentration in vapor phase. As increased air flow rate, the partial pressure of mercury is decreased and the amount of mercury is reduced. Initially, the mercury concentration in vapor phase emitted from CFLs is higher than the regulatory level of $0.1mg/m^3$ in the specific facilities regardless of air flow rate. Hence, it is absolutely necessary that mercury in vapor phase should be controlled at the point of crushing campact fluorescent lamp.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.238-248
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• 2008

This study investigated mercury emission at various combustion conditions and analyzed mercury species in flue gas from coal combustion at a laboratory scale furnace in coal. The results of this study can be used to predict and to assess mercury emission at coal boilers and power plants. The coal used in the plants generally contains about $0.02{\sim}0.28\;mg$ of mercury per kg. Bituminous and anthracite coal used for the experiment contained 0.049 and 0.297 mg/kg of mercury, respectively. Mercury emissions during coal combustion at temperatures range of $600^{\circ}C$ to $1,400^{\circ}C$ was measured and analysed using Ontario Hydro method; the speciation changes were also observed in mercury emissions. The results showed higher fraction of elemental mercury than that of oxidised mercury at most temperatures tested in this experiment. The fraction of elemental mercury was lower in combustion of anthracite coal than in bituminous combustion. As expected, equilibrium calculations and real power plants data showed good similarity. The distribution of particle size in flue gas had the higher peak in size above $2.5\;{\mu}m$. However the peak of mercury enrichment in dust was at $0.3\;{\mu}m$, which could be easily emitted into atmosphere without filtration in combustion system. When the CEA(Chemical equilibrium and Application) code was used for combustion equilibrium calculation, Cl was found to be the important component effecting mercury oxidation, especially at the lower temperatures under $900^{\circ}C$.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2014

A study was conducted to determine the phytotoxic effect of mercury on seed germination and seedling growth of an important arid legume tree Albizia lebbeck. The seeds germination and seedling growth performance of A. lebbeck responded differently to mercuric chloride treatment (1 mM, 3 mM, 5 mM and 7 mM) as compared to control. Seed germination of A. lebbeck was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM. Root growth of A. lebbeck was not significantly affected by mercury treatment at 1 mM, and 3 mM. Shoot and root length of A. lebbeck were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by 5 mM concentration of mercury treatment. Increase in concentration of mercury treatment at 5 mM and 7 mM significantly (p < 0.05) reduced seedling dry weight of A. lebbeck. The treatment of mercury at 1 mM decreased high percentage of seed germination (22%), seedling length (10%), root length (21.85%) and seedling dry weight (9%). Highest decrease in seed germination (51%), seedling (34%), root length (48%) and seedling dry weight (41%) of A. lebbeck occurred at 7 mM mercury treatment. A. lebbeck showed high percentage of tolerance (78.14%) to mercury at 1 mM. However, 7 mM concentration of mercury produced lowest percentage of tolerance (51.65%) in A. lebbeck. The seed germination potential and seedling vigor index (SVI) clearly decreased with the higher level of mercury. Plantation of A. lebbeck in mercury-polluted area will help in reducing the burden of mercury pollution. A. lebbeck can serve better in coordinating in land management programs in metal contaminated areas. The identification of the toxic concentration of metals and tolerance indices of A. lebbeck would also be helpful for the establishment of air quality standard.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.140-156
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• 2023

Children are very sensitive to exposure to heavy metals such as mercury which can accumulate in the body. Exposure to even low concentrations of such metals is reported to be very harmful to health. An evaluation of the mercury content of meals in public elementary schools could provide information which could be used to reduce this level. Two public elementary schools were selected from 16 cities and provinces. The meals provided were analyzed in the third week of spring, summer, fall, and winter. The average mercury allowance per meal was calculated using the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the government. The number of instances of excess content observed was compared by region based on the mercury allowance per meal, and the frequency of use of mercury-containing marine products that cause the excessive levels was identified. The results of analyzing a total of 575 menus revealed that the use of marine and processed marine products with a high mercury content was more in the coastal areas. The mercury content in school meals was also higher in coastal areas than in inland areas. Conversely, in inland areas, the frequency of intake of marine products and marine products with a high mercury content was low, and the amount of mercury intake in school meals was also correspondingly low. In conclusion, this study intended to provide information that could be used to make school meal menus safer. This data can be used to replace school meal menus with high mercury content in coastal areas with menus with low mercury content.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the reference value of mercury (Hg) in liver and kidney of Korean population. The mercury concentration in 244‘sudden and unexpected death’autopsies (male: 180, female: 64) aged from 0 to 87 years was analyzed. The concentration of mercury was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer Model 5100) with mercury/hydride generating system (FIAS 400). The contents of mercury in liver and kidney fitted well the log-normal distribution rather than normal distribution. Geometric mean concentration of mercury in liver and kidney was 0.115 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g wet weight and 0.149 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g wet weight, respectively. Geometric mean concentration of mercury in female was higher than in male (p < 0.01). The mercury content in liver and kidney increased with age up to the forties and slightly decreased there-after. The regression model of mercury deposit in liver and kidney by age was predicted as the following equation : Log LHg : -1.0576＋0.0045$.$Age-0.0001$.$Age$^2$＋0.0873$.$Sex, Log KHg = -1.0576＋0.0152$.$Age-0.0002$.$Age$^2$＋0.1935$.$Sex. The liver burden of mercury was estimated to be 158.3∼161.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in male and 163.0∼166.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in female. The kidney burden of mercury was estimated to be 42.0∼42.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in male and 55.5∼57.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$ in female.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.1 s.88
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• pp.8-18
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• 2006

The aim of this study is to evaluate the emission characteristics of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium from medium size municipal solid waste incinerators(MSWIs) in Korea. The concentrations of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium emitted from medium size MSWI stack were $2.67\;{\mu}g/Sm^3,\;0.38\;mg/Sm^3,\;1.33\;{\mu}g/Sm^3,\;0.28\;{\mu}g/Sm^3$, respectively. The concentration levels of mercury, lead, arsenic in flue gas from medium size MSW incinerator stacks selected were nearly detected under the Korea criteria level. Removal efficiencies of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium in waste heat boiler(WHE) and cooling tower(CT) were $90.36\%,\;69.76\%,\;43.04\%,\;40.64\%$, respectively. In general, the removal efficiencies of mercury and lead in WHE were higher than those of arsenic and selenium in WHE. Emission gas temperature reduction from waste heat boiler(WHB) and cooling tower(CT) can control mercury and lead of medium size MSWIs. To evaluate the relationship between mercury, lead, arsenic, selenium of fly ash and those of flue gas, it was carried out to correlation analysis of each metal concentration in the fly ash and in the flue gas from medium size MSWIs. From the correlation analysis, the coefficients of mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium were 0.61, -0.38, 0.87, 0.28, respectively. The results of correlation analysis revealed that it should be highly positive to the correlation coefficients of mercury and arsenic in the fly ash and those of the flue gas emitted from medium size MSWIs. As it were, the concentrations of mercury and arsenic of flue gas from medium size MSWIs are high unless mercury and arsenic in fly ash are properly controlled in dust collection step in medium size MSWIs. It was also concluded that mercury, lead, arsenic, and selenium from MSWIs stacks could be controlled by waste heat boiler(WHE) and dust collecting step in medium size MSWIs.