• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.8
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• pp.1-6
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• 1969

유기수은제는 도열병의 특효약으로서 1953년경부터 일본의 답작에 다량으로 사용되고 있었으나 태본현의 수지방의 공장폐수중에 함유된 유기수은에 의한 중독사건 즉 minamata병을 비롯하여 살포한 유기수은의 미중의 잔류가 사회문제화되어 살포용의 유기수은제 제조는 1968년부터 금지되었다. 이 동안에 수은을 함유하지 않은 도열병 방제약제의 개발은 진보되어 1960년에 Blasticidin-S가 실용화된 것을 최초로하여 여러 가지 새로운 살균제가 개발되었다. 1969년 4월 등록허가되어 있는 도열병 방제약제는 표1과 같이 항생물질, 유기염소계약제, 유기인계약제로 대별할 수 있다. 이와같이 새로히 등장한 도열병 방제약제에 의하여 도열병은 완전히 방제할 수 있게 되었으나 이들 약제에도 여러 가지 문제점이 있는 것이다. 이 문제점등을 충분히 이해하고 적절한 대책을 세워 두는 것이 올바른 도열병 방제 기술의 확립을 위하여 필요하다고 생각되므로 이하 비수은 도열병방제약제의 현황과 문제점에 대하여 기술키로 한다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.364-373
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• 2012

The United Nations Environmental Program Governing Council has regulated mercury as a global pollutant since 2001 and has been preparing the mercury convention, which will have a strongly binding force through Global Mercury Assessment, Global Mercury Partnership Activities, and establishment of the Open-Ended Working Group on Mercury. The European Union maintains an inclusive strategy on risks and contamination of mercury, and has executed the Mercury Export Ban Act since December in 2010. The US Environmental Protection Agency established the Mercury Action Plan (1998) and the Mercury Roadmap (2006) and has proposed systematic mercury management methods to reduce the health risks posed by mercury exposure. Japan, which experienced Minamata disease, aims vigorously at perfection in mercury management in several ways. In Korea, the Ministry of Environment established the Comprehensive Plan and Countermeasures for Mercury Management to prepare for the mercury convention and to reduce risks of mercury to protect public health.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

We are exposed to numerous xenobiotic electrophiles on a daily basis through the environment, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Although such reactive species have been associated with detrimental effects, recent accumulated evidence indicates that xenobiotic electrophiles appear to act as signaling molecules. In this review, we introduce our findings on 1) activation of various redox signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, detoxification/excretion of electrophiles, quality control of cellular proteins, and cell survival during exposure to xenobiotic electrophiles at low concentrations through covalent modification of thiol groups in sensor proteins, and 2) negative regulation of reactive sulfur species (RSS) in the modulation of redox signaling and toxicity caused by xenobiotic electrophiles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.4-15
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• 2005

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental pollutant with neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. The major exposure route of MeHg to humans is via consumption of fish and shellfish which accumulate the chemical through the food web in an aquatic environment. Hair mercury level is an excellent marker for MeHg exposure. We have been conducting a survey on hair mercury contents among general populations from 14 districts to estimate the current Japanese MeHg exposure level. Total mercury levels of all hair samples collected (12923 in total) were analyzed by the oxygen combustion-gold amalgamation method using an atomic absorption mercury detector. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mercury levels were significantly correlated with several covariates, such as sex, age, the amount of daily intake of total fish/shellfish, a preference for certain fish such as tuna or bonito, and artificial waving. The geometric means for the population without artificial waving were 2.47 and 1.65 ${\mu}g/g$ for males (n = 5623) and females (n = 3470), respectively. Hair mercury levels varied with age, and the variations were more significant in males. Since the difference between sexes was not evident at younger ages, some hormonal control might also be involved in the mercury uptake by human hair. The average mercury levels in our hair samples varied among the sampling districts. Tuna is a major carnivorous fish with high mercury accumulations that is often consumed in Japan. The amount of fish consumption and the preference rate far tuna would appear to be responsible far the regional variation in hair mercury levels in Japan. Recently, a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of MeHg was revised by 61st JECFA to 1.6 ${\mu}g/kg/week$, which was about half that of the Japanese standard, and corresponded to a hair level of 2.2 ppm. The distribution of hair mercury levels in Japanese populations in the present study indicated that 25% of the Japanese females of child-bearing age were estimated to be exposed to MeHg over the PTWI level. This would reflect the high Japanese consumption of marine products. However, not only mercury contamination, but also the nutritional benefit may have to be considered when discussing the risk involved in the current level of fish and shellfish consumption in Japan.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2017

'The worstest environment disaster', 'World's first biocide massacre', 'Home-based Sewol ferry disaster' are all phrases attached to the recent humidifier disinfectant disaster. In the spring of 2011, four of 8 pregnant women including 1 adult man passed away at a university hospital in Seoul due to breathing failure. Epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Korean CDC soon revealed the inhalation of humidifier disinfectant, which had been widely used in Korea during the winter, to be responsible for the disease. As well as lung fibrosis hardening of the lungs, other diseases including asthma, rhinitis, skin disease, liver disease, fetal disease or cancers have been researched for their relation with exposure to the products. By February 9, 2017, 5,342 cases had registered for health problems and 1,131 of them were already dead (20.8% mortality rate). Based on studies by government agencies and a telephone survey of the general population by Seoul National University and civic groups, around 20% of the general public of Korea has used these products. Since the market release of the first product by SK Chemical in 1994, over 7.1 million items from around 20 brands were sold up to 2011. Most of the products were manufactured by well-known large conglomerates such as SK, Lotte, Samsung, Shinsegye, LG, and GS, as well as some European companies including UK-based Reckitt Benckiser and TESCO, the German firm Henkel, the Danish firm KeTox, and an Irish company. Even though this disaster was unveiled in 2011 by the Korean government, the issue of the victims was neglected for over five years. In 2016, an unexpected but intensive investigation by prosecutors found that Reckitt Benckiser manipulated and concealed animal tests for its own brand and brought several university experts and company employees to court. The matter was an intense social issue in Korea from May to June with a surge in media coverage. The prosecutor's investigation and a nationwide boycott campaign organized by victims and environmental groups against Reckitt Benckiser, whose product had been used by more than 70% of victims, led to the producer's official apology and a compensation scheme. A legislative investigation organized after the April 2016 national election revealed the producers' faults and the government's responsibility, but failed to meet expectations. A special law for the victims passed the National Assembly in January 2017 and a punitive system together with a massive environmental epidemiology investigation are expected to be the only solutions for this tragedy. Sciences of medicine, toxicology and environmental health have provided decisive evidence so far, but for the remaining problems the perspectives of social sciences such as sociology and jurisprudence are highly necessary, similar to with the Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon events. It may not be easy to follow this issue using unfamiliar terminology from medical and chemical science and the long, complicated history of the event. For these reasons the author has attempted to write this article in a question and answer format to render it easier to follow. The 17 questions are: Q1 What is humidifier disinfectant? Q2 What kind of health problems are caused by humidifier disinfectant? Q3 How many victims are there? Q4 What is the analysis of the 1,112 cases of death? Q5 What is the problem with the government's diagnostic criteria and the solution? Q6 Who made what brands? Q7 Has there been a recall? What is still on sale? Q8 Was safety not checked by any producers? Q9 What are the government's responsibilities? Q10 Is it true that these products were sold only in Korea? Q11 Why and how was it unveiled only in 2011 after 17 years of sales? Q12 What delayed the resolution of the victim issue? Q13 What is the background of the prosecutor's investigation in early 2016? Q14 Is it possible to report new victim cases without evidence of product purchase? Q15 What is happening with the victim issue? Q16 How does it compare with the cases of Minamata disease and Wonjin Rayon? Q17 Are there prevention measures and lessons?

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

The purpose of this paper was to concisely review the practical changes in MeHg concentrations in fetus and offspring throughout gestation and suckling from our recent animal and human studies. In the animal study, adult female rats were given a diet containing 5ug/g Hg (as MeHg) for 8 weeks. Then they were mated and subsequently given the same diet throughout gestation and suckling. On embryonic days 18, 20, 22 and at parturition, the concentrations of Hg in the brains of fetus were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher than those in the mothers. However, during the suckling period Hg concentrations in the brain rapidly declined to about 1/10 of that during late pregnancy. Hg concentrations in blood also decreased rapidly after birth. In human study, Hg concentrations in red blood cells (RBC-Hg) in 16 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were compared at birth and 3 months of age after parturition. RBC-Hg in the umbilical cords was about 1.6 times higher than those in the mothers at parturition. However, all the infants showed declines in Hg concentrations throughout the breast-feeding period. RBC-Hg at 3 months of age was about half that at birth. Both the animal and human studies indicated that MeHg exposure to the fetus might be especially high but it dramatically decreases during the suckling period. Therefore, close attention should be paid to the gestation rather than the breast-feeding period to avoid the risk of MeHg to human infants.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.73-83
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• 2005

Higher methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation and susceptibility to toxicity in the fetus than in the mother at parturition is well known. However, the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and suckling is not well established. In the human, the effects of MeHg exposure on pregnant and breast-feeding women remain an important issue for elucidation, especially those of continuous uptake in high-fish-consumption populations. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the difference in MeHg exposure to fetus and offspring throughout gestation and lactation using our recent animal and human studies data. In the animal study, adult female rats were given a diet containing 5 ${\mu}$g/g Hg (as MeHg) for 8 weeks. Then they were mated and subsequently given the same diet throughout gestation and suckling. On embryonic days 18, 20, 22 and at parturition, the concentrations of Hg in the brains of fetus were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher than those in the mothers. However, during the suckling period Hg concentrations in the brain rapidly declined to about 1/10 of that during late pregnancy. Hg concentrations in blood also decreased rapidly after birth. In human study, Hg concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs-Hg) in 16 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were compared at birth and 3 months of age after parturition. RBCs-Hg concentration in the umbilical cords was about 1.6 times higher than those in the mothers at parturition. However, all the infants showed declines in Hg concentrations throughout the breast-feeding period. The Hg concentration in RBCs-Hg at 3 months of age was about half that at birth. Both the animal and human studies indicated that MeHg exposure to the fetus might be especially high but it dramatically decreases during the suckling period. Therefore, close attention should be paid to the gestation rather than the breast-feeding period to avoid the risk of MeHg to human infants.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

The medical mineral menas a single mineral or a complex of minerals. It is natural material. using the medical action of he major or the minor elements, and traditional medicine stuff which has been used since long time ago. Jusa, cinnabar as the mineral name, is the product of the hydrothermal process. It is used to relax the body and cure high blood pressure, apoplexy and cardiopathy. Jusais the major component of "An shin hwan" and "Woo hwang chung shim hwan" nowadays because it has such an excellent calm effect. In addition, it is used to cure cancers such as esophageal cancer and gastric cancer. Jusa composed of mercuric sulfide causes mercury poisoning such as Minamata disease. It is dealt with mineralogical property and chemical composition medical stuff in Korea and China, as well asmercury poisoning and medical action of Jusa in this study. In order to predct accumulation of the interior of the body of the major and minor elements in Jusa, leaching experiment of Jusa by artificial gastric juice was done as well as thermodynamic reaction modelling to know concentration of each species of body fluid. The minor elements of 24 species such as As, Pb, Cd, a and Fe by leaching reaction of Jusa and artificial gastric juice were leached. We can know the fact that as is less than 1 ppm, Hg is less than 25 ppm and Cd and m are not detected. In addition, mercury exists as species of Hg2+, HgCl+, HgCl2, HgCl3-, HgCl42-, HgClOH, HgS(H2S)2, Hg(HS)3-, HgS22-, HgOH and Hg(OH)2 by reaction modelling between Jusa and artificial gastric juice. The concentration of sulfide complexes is 24.2 ppm and that of others is less than 10 ppm. According to increasing pH, the concentration of HgS(H2S)2, Hg(HS)3+, HgS22- and Hg(OH)2 increases, whereas the concentration of HgCl+, HgCl2, HgCl3- and HgCl42- decreases. Therefore, Jusa is very useful for the development of new medicine because it is possible to predict formation of the body species and species accumulation on mercury known as a toxic element and concentration changes of toxicity and efficiency.city and efficiency.