• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.158-163
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) levels in deep-sea fishes distributed in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Concentrations of Hg, MeHg, and Se were measured by using a mercury analyzer and Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average content (mg/kg) in the seafood samples was as follows: Hg, 0.7647 (0.0182-5.3620), MeHg, 0.0764 (0.0096-0.8750), and Se, 0.4728 (0.1075-3.5100). All the levels of MeHg were below the recommended standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety i.e., <1.0 mg/kg. Recent studies have shown that Se prevents Hg toxicity. The average daily intake in humans was 3.3 ㎍/kg, which was lower than the recommended amount (50-200 ㎍/person/day). The weekly intake of Hg and MeHg was calculated to be 6.07% and 1.90%, respectively, of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). This study showed that the weekly intake of Hg and MeHg from abyssal fish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives. Therefore, the levels reported in this study are presumed to be adequately safe.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.523-526
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• 2004

There are few studies on toxic metals in fruits. Therefore, we examined contents of toxic metals in fruits (n=386) available in Korean markets. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) or atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). The contents of mercury (Hg) were also determined using a mercury analyzer, Contents of toxic metals in fruits were as follows [minimum-maximum (mean), mg/kg]; Hg 0.0001-0.019 (0.001), Pb 0.001-0.410 (0.013), Cd 0.001-0.035 (0.000), and As 0.001-0.210 (0.017). Our results showed that metal contents in fruits in Korean markets were similar to those reported in other countries. Average weekly intakes of Hg, Pb, and Cd from fruits are about 1-2% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) set by FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee for safety evaluation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 1997

A dietary intake survey in 2 major city area was conducted as a part of the study which determined the level of exposure of people to harmful substances in foodstuff. A total of 800 randomly selected men and women aged 20-49 yr and living in the cities of Seoul and Taegu were invited to participate in the survey. All subjects were interviewed by trained dietitians to answer for demorgraphic characteristics and dietary intake for 1 day by 24hr recall method, and asked to record what day ate for following 2 more days by themselves. Results were analyzed and presented for the amount and frequency of food intake by area, sex body weight. Food consumed most by adults resifing in these 2 city area was rice and followed by kimchi in the amount of 225.7g/persn/day and 85.0g/person/day, respectively. In the list of foods consumed most frequently, items used for condiments were included in addition to rice and kimchi. And the total daily intake of food per person was summed up to be 1, 534g for men and 1, 304g for women. Considerable part of this sexual difference in total intake was originated from the difference in beverage consumption including alcoholic beverages and the higher intake of certain foodstuff due to higher body weight of men. Intake data were presented din terms of per capita and per kg body weight, and compared among adults in different categories of body weight, also. The data gathered here, food intake by individuals, reflect our own dietary culture in terms of food assortment and relative contribution of each food item to total food intake include the consumption of "extreme" eaters might be found useful also especially for the sake of food safety such as risk assessment using ADI and PTWI for contaminants in the food supply.od supply.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.32-36
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• 2001

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of trace metals in vegetable which were produced in Korea. The levels of trace metals determined using a mercury analyzer, and ICP (inductively coupled plasma spectrometer) and an AAS (atomic absorption spectrophotometer) after wet digestion. The values of trace metals [minimum~maximum (mean), mg/kg] in vegetables were a follows ; Hg : 0.0001~0.019 (0.002), Pb : 0.001~0.28 (0.02), Cd : 0.001~0.078 (0.016), As : 0.001~0.06 (0.02), Cu : 0.06~24.81 (0.77), Mn : 0.17~15.12 (2.32), Zn : 0.13~28.70 (2.51). These results showed that metal contents in vegetables on domestic markets were similar to those reported in other countries. The weekly average intakes of lead, cadmium and mercury from vegetables take 2~7% of PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) that the FAO/WHO Joint Food Additive and Contaminants Committee had set to evaluate their safeties.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.541-555
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• 2016

This study determined the concentrations of lead and cadmium in 18 species of commonly consumed fish and assessed the risk based on provisional tolerable weekly (monthly) intakes [PTW(M)I] % as affected by behavioral characteristics, such as migration and settlement. In the 18 species, the mean concentrations of lead and cadmium were higher in the 11 species of migratory fish (llargehead hairtail Trichiurus lepturus, chub mackerel Scomber japonicus, Pacific saury Cololabis saira, skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, anchovy Engraulis japonicus, Alaska pollack Theragra chalcogramm, brown croaker Miichthys miiuy, Japanese Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus niphonius, yellow croaker Larimichthys polyactis, and Pacific herring Clupea pallasii) than in the seven demersal species (red stingray Dasyatis akajei, brown sole Pleuronectes herzensteini, bastard halibut Paralichthys olivaceus, conger eel Conger myriaster, blackmouth angler Lophiomus setigerus, rockfish Sebastes schlegelii, and filefish Stephanolepis cirrhifer). Based on the mean concentrations, the PTWI % of lead and cadmium in commonly consumed migratory fish were 1.900 and 2.986%, respectively, which were higher than the values for lead and cadmium in the commonly consumed demersal fishes (0.257 and 0.318%, respectively). The estimation of weekly (monthly) intakes and target hazard quotients for the toxic elements lead and cadmium revealed that the commonly consumed migratory and demersal fish do not pose any health risks for consumers.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.675-683
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• 2017

Total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) were determined in marine fisheries (41 species, n=87) commonly consumed in Korea, using a gold amalgamation method and gas chromatography-cold vapor atomic fluorescent spectroscopy, respectively. Concentrations of T-Hg and MeHg in all samples (31 fish, 4 crustaceans, 4 cephalopods, and 2 gastropod species) were in the range of 0.016-0.495 (mean, 0.093) mg/kg-wet and not detected-0.338 (mean, 0.067) mg/kg-wet, respectively. The concentrations of MeHg in marine fisheries were significantly correlated with T-Hg concentrations (P<0.001). The highest mean concentrations of T-Hg and MeHg were found in fish species, followed by crustaceans. The contribution of MeHg to T-Hg was in the range of 64-95% (mean, 83%) in cephalopods, 28-98% (mean, 69%) in fish, and 26-88% (mean, 57%) in crustaceans. The weekly intakes of T-Hg and MeHg by fisheries consumption for the Korean general population were estimated to be 0.463 and $0.338{\mu}g/kg$ body weight/week, respectively. The concentrations and intakes of T-Hg and MeHg were less than the allowable residue levels and in the range of 12 to 17% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) applied in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.454-459
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• 2012

To investigate heavy metals (Hg, Pb and Cd) and their potential health risks in commercial dried laver (Porphyra sp.), we collected 45 samples from the major production areas on the western and southern coasts of Korea (Hwaseong, Seocheon, Gunsan, Muan, Shinan, Jindo, Haenam, Wando, Jangheung, Goheung and Busan). The Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS) or a mercury analyzer. The average Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations in the dried laver were $0.006{\pm}0.0017$, $0.196{\pm}0.0614$ and $0.894{\pm}0.4882$ mg/kg, respectively. Based on the 2007 Korean Public Nutrition Report, these levels are 0.02, 0.11 and 2.47% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for Hg, Pb and Cd, respectively, established by the FAO/WHO. The hazard quotient (HQ) determined from the ratio of exposure and safe levels were less than 1.0. Therefore, the levels of overall exposure to Hg, Pb and Cd for dried laver were below the recommended JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) levels, which indicate safe levels for public health.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2011

This study was carried out to estimate the heavy metal contents (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn) in avian eggs sold in Seoul area, Korea from August to December, 2010. The contents of lead, cadmium, chrome, copper, manganese were estimated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The concentrations of heavy metals (mean${\pm}$standard deviation, mg/kg) in the avian eggs were as follows: Pb $0.010{\pm}0.018$, Cd $0.000{\pm}0.001$, Cr $0.018{\pm}0.022$, Cu $0.637{\pm}0.163$, Mn $0.397{\pm}0.132$. The contents of lead and cadmium in the eggs were lower than that in meat and other foods of previously reported results. Whereas the contents of copper, manganese were similar to the previously previous results. The average daily intakes of lead and cadmium in the avian eggs were 0.1 and 0.8% respectively, as compared with PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes) established by FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Safety Evaluation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.388-394
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• 2012

The present study was carried out to assess the dietary exposure and the risk for arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) through mushrooms intake. Various samples (n = 536) covering 17 kinds of mushrooms were collected from retail outlets and markets in Korea. The contents of As were 0.003 (King oyster) ~ 1.952 (Matsutake) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.015 (Fuscoporia obliqua) ~ 16.95 (Matsutake) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The contents of Hg were 0.001 (King oyster) ~ 0.030 (Matsutake) mg/kg in raw mushrooms and 0.004 (Oyster) ~ 0.588 (Matsutake) mg/kg in dry mushrooms, respectively. The mean dietary exposures of As was $0.151{\mu}g$/day, taking 0.005% of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The mean dietary exposures of Hg was $0.022{\mu}g$/day, corresponding to 0.071% of PTWI. Therefore, the level of overall dietary exposure to As and Hg for Korean population through mushroom was far below the levels recommended by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additivies, indicating little possibility of concern.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.269-276
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• 2010

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were determined in 15 commonly consumed aquatic food species using total mercury analyzer and gas chromatography with electron capture detector. The mean total mercury and methylmercury concentrations (mg/kg) were 0.088 and 0.034 in mackerel, 0.061 and 0.016 in hair tail, 0.030 and 0.005 in yellow croaker, 0.032 and 0.008 in Alaska pollock, 0.059 and 0.023 in eastern catfish, 0.110 and 0.045 in snakehead, 0.030 and 0.011 in Japanese common squid, 0.026 and 0.009 in common octopus, 0.035 and 0.008 in swimming crab, 0.009 and not detected (ND) in oyster, 0.011 and ND in shortneck clam, 0.008 and ND in mussel, 0.018 and ND in sea mustard, 0.007 and ND in nori, and 0.019 and ND in sea tangle, respectively. The total weekly dietary intakes of total mercury and methylmercury were estimated, respectively, using food consumption data from diet surveys and the concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury from this study. They were $0.178\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (b.w.)/week (3.57% of provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI)) and $0.052\;{\mu}g/kg$ b.w./week (3.34% of PTWI) respectively, and all were within their respective PTWI set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Therefore, considering that the main contributor to mercury intake in the diet is aquatic foods and that the 15 aquatic food species examined in this study are highly consumed, it is concluded that the mercury levels in the foods measured in this study do not present a concern for consumer health.