• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.1 s.61
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• pp.46-52
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• 2006

The mercury is among the most highly bioconcentrated toxic trace metals. Many national and international agencies and organisations have targeted mercury for the possible emission control. The mercury toxicity depends on its chemical form, among which alkylmercury compounds are the most toxic. A human cervix uterus cancer cell line HeLa cells was employed to investigate the effect of the toxic heavy metal mercury (Hg) and ionizing radiation. In the in vitro comet assays for the genotoxicity in the HeLa cells, the group of Hg treatment after irradiation showed higher DNA breakage than the other groups. The tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the control group were $4.88{\pm}1.00\;and\;3.50{\pm}0.52$ while the values of the only Hg treatment group were $26.90{\pm}2.67\;and\;13.16{\pm}1.82$, respectively. The tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the only 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 Hg group were $12.24{\pm}1.82,\;8.20{\pm}2.15,\;20.30{\pm}1.30,\;12.26{\pm}0.52,\;40.65{\pm}2.94\;and \;20.38{\pm}1.49$, respectively. In the case of Hg treatment after irradiation, the tail extent moment and olive tail moment of the 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 Hg group were $56.50{\pm}3.93,\;32.69{\pm}2.48,\;62.03{\pm}5.14,\;31.56{\pm}1.97,\;72.73{\pm}3.70\;and \;39.44{\pm}3.23$, respectively. The results showed that Hg induced DNA single-strand breaks or alkali labile sites as assessed by the Comet assay. It is in good agreement with the reported results. The mercury inhibits the repair of DNA. The bacterial formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Epg protein) recognizes and removes some oxidative DNA base modifications. Enzyme inactivation by Hg (II) may therefore be due either to interactions with rysteine residues outside the metal binding domain or to very high-affinity binding of Hg (II) which readily removes Zn (II) from the zinc finger.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.143-151
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• 2004

The chemical composition of PM$_{2.5}$ was measured at Gosan, Jeju for two weeks each in November 2001 and spring 2002. In the latter part of the measurement period of November 2001, designated as the polluted period in this work, secondarily formed ion components as well as primarily emitted elemental carbon were high. PM$_{2.5}$ mass concentration was also high in this polluted period compared with the yellow sand period, in which daily average of PM $_{10}$ peaked up to 520 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. Increase of major components of anthropogenic origin in the polluted period was not correlated with the variation in sea salt components while increase of crustal components in the yellow sand period was highly correlated with the variation in sea salt components. Trace elements were generally higher in the yellow sand period; however, toxic heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium and lead were the highest in the polluted period.d.d.d.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2010

Compared with organic fluorophores, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have the better properties such as photostability, narrow emission spectra coupled to tunable photoluminescent emissions and exceptional resistance to both photo bleaching and chemical degradation. In this work, CdSe/ZnS QDs nanobeads were prepared by the incorporation of CdSe/ZnS QDs with mesoporous silica to use as the optical probe for detecting toxic and bio- materials with high sensitivity, CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs were synthesized from the precursors such as CdO and zinc stearate with the lower toxicity than pyrotic precursors. The QD-nanobeads were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, FL microscopy, UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy, respectively.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.243-247
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• 2012

Photocatalysis has been applied to decompose the waste and toxic materials produced in daily life and in the global environment. Pure $TiO_2$ (Zn-$TiO_2$-0) and Zn-doped $TiO_2$ (Zn-$TiO_2$-x, x = 3-10 mol %) samples were synthesized using a novel sol-gel and ammonia-evaporation method. The Zn-doped $TiO_2$ samples showed high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The physicochemical properties of the samples were investigated using XRD, SEM, ICP, DLS and BET methods. In addition, the most important measurement of photocatalytic ability was investigated by a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The effects of the mol % of zinc ion doping in $TiO_2$ on photocatalytic activity were studied. Among the mol % Zn ions investigated, the Zn-$TiO_2$-9 sample showed the highest photoreactivity. This sample removed 91.4% of the MB after 4 h, while the pure $TiO_2$ only removed 46.4% of the MB.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hazards of cosmetic ingredients in Korea. Methods: An Excel database of cosmetic ingredients was developed on a website(Korea Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary) and used for a hazard assessment based on Tox-free, a database containing toxic information such as on carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants(CMRs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals(EDCs), as well as other regulated chemicals in Korea. Results: A total of 16,605 chemicals were registered with the cosmetic ingredient dictionary and 308 of them were identified as either CMRs or EDCs. CMRs included formaldehyde and nickel gluconate, and EDCs included parabens, benzophenon, styrene, and toluene. Reproductive toxicants such as xylene, zinc chloride, toluene, and formaldehyde were regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Act on the Registration and Evaluation, etc. of Chemical Substances(the Chemical Control Act). Conclusions: Regulations on cosmetics components should be strengthened, and the right to know about cosmetics containing hazardous chemicals should be guaranteed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2005

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, zinc, copper as well as iron status(serum iron, total iron binding capacity, feritin etc)in blood samples of middle school students(n=300). The contents of heavy metals were determined using the GF-AAS (Graphite furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). The microwave digestion method and dilution method were compared. The dilution method showed the better recovery and detection limit than microwave digestion method. The values of toxic metals in whloe blood of boys & girls were 3.46 & 3.05 for Pb,0.063 & 0.065 for Cd respectively (ug/dL). Also the values of trace metals in serum of boys & girls were 105.9 & 92.6 for Zn, 98.3 & 99.0 for Cu respectively (ug/dL). The prevalence of iron deficiency was $7.5\%$ in 146 boys and $14.3\%$ in 156 girls. The mean values of lead in girls were higher in iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia groups than normal group. The mean values of lead and zinc were higher in boys compared to those in girls(P<0.05), the mean values of cadmium and copper in boys were similar to those in girls. Our results of toxic metals such as Pb & Cd showed lower to CDC's(Centers for Disease Control) blood lead levels of concern for children, 10 ug/dL.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.40-50
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• 1978

Effects of Zn, P and Fe on Cd uptake and accumulations by tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) and also their interactions on the uptake of Zn, Fe, Mn, P and Cd were investigated using batch type solution culture technique. Experiment 1 was a factorial scheme with 3 levels of Zn (0, 0.5, 2.5 ppm) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 0.2, 1.0 ppm). At 1.0 ppm Cd, significant yield reduction of dry matter and visual toxicity symptoms (yellowing and necrosis) of Cd was observed for all zinc levels. At this Cd level, increasing Zn treatment from 0 to 2.5 ppm increased Cd concentration from 199 to 235 ppm in leaves and from 124 to 145 ppm in stems. Similarly, Cd treatment did not suppress Zn uptake in leaves, and rather significantly increased in stems. Fe concentrations in leaves and stems were significantly reduced due to Cd treatment while Mn were increased by both Zn and Cd treatment. The results of experiment 2 with 3 levels of P (0.5, 2.0, 4.0m Mol) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) in a factorial scheme also showed a growth reduction and visual toxic symptons from 1.0 ppm Cd level. Increasing P treatment tend to increase Cd concentrations in leaves and stems although it was not statistically significant. Increasing P concentration due to Cd treatment could be the 'concentration' effect as a result of reduced growth, while there was significant decrease in Fe concentration due to Cd treatment in spite of possible 'concentration' effect. Mn concentration was increased at 1.0 ppm Cd level and then dropped at 2.0 ppm Cd level. Zu concentration in leaves and stems showed significant increase as Cd treatment increased as observed in experiment 1. Experiment 3 had 3 levels of Fe (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 ppm) and 3 levels of Cd (0, 0.8, 1.6 ppm) treatments in a factorial design. Significant growth reduction and visual toxic symptoms as observed in experiment 1 and 2 were also observed from 0.8 ppm Cd level. Increasing Fe treatment obviously alleviated toxic symptoms, improved growth and significantly increased dry matter yield. At 0.8 ppm Cd treatment level, increasing Fe treatment from 0.5 to 2.0 ppm significantly decreased Cd concentration from 141 to 92 ppm in leaves and from 101 to 46 ppm in stems. At 1.6 ppm Cd treatment level the decrease was from 224 to 167 ppm in leaves and from 124 to 109 ppm in stems. As in the case of experiment 1 and 2, Fe concentration in leaves and stems were reduced as Cd treatment increased to 1.6 ppm at 0.5 and 1. 0 Fe treatment levels, whereas at 2.0 ppm Fe level, Cd treatment increased Fe concentration in leaves and stems showing significant interactions of Fe and Cd on Fe uptake. Cd effect on Zn and Mn showed similar results to experiment 1 and 2 and Fe treatments reduced Zn and Mn concentrations in plant tissue. The results of 3 experiments show that P and Zn did not manifest suppressive effect on Cd uptake, Fe significantly demonstrated it. Fe also alleviated Cd toxicity symptoms significantly in terms of visual symptoms and dry matter yield. Visual toxicity symptoms were definitely related to Fe status in plant tissue as well as possible physiological effect of Cd itself, and the results suggest that Fe requirement for normal growth increase as Cd element is present in plant tissue. Zn accumulated more in stems than in leaves whereas Cd, Fe and Mn showed the opposite trend in all experiments.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.110-125
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• 1993

This study was designed to determine whether non-violent criminal and normal control on the basis of concentration of levels of trace mineral and toxic metal by analysis of human scalp hair. The subjects were selected 87 nonviolent criminal from a prison population and 120 normal control from periodic health checks for study. Hair samples were taken from the napes and Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was performed also. Five trace mineral (Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Na) and two toxic metal (lead, cadmium) contents were determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The contents of zinc and magnesium in hair of non-violent criminal were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). In the case of lead and cadimum, mean value of criminal group was significantly higher than control group. Significantly higher T-score of MMPI was seen in non-violent criminal group fur psychopathic deviate (Pd), paranoia scale (Pa), and Mania scale (Ma) than control group, but T-score of depression scale (D) was significantly higher in the control group. In the non-violent criminal group, the content of copper inversely proportion to T-score of Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Mf, Pa, Pt, Sc, Si except Ma, also Zinc inversely proportion to T-score of Hy, Mf, Pa, Pt. These results suggest that difference of some hair mineral contents exist between criminal and normal control group. Thus further studies are necessary to determine whether violent and nonviolent criminal group attributed biochemical imbalance with carefully constructed and controlled studies.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.3 s.35
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• pp.287-304
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• 1991

Tolerance to several toxic effects of cadmium, including lethality has been shown following pretreatment with cadmium and zinc. This study was designed to determine if tolerance also develops to Cd-induced hepatotoxicityandrenaltoxicity. Three groups of rats (A, B, C), each consisting of 16 rats, were studied and each group was divided into four subgroups (1, 2, 3, 4), 4 rats for each subgroup. Rats were subcutaneously pretreated with saline (A), $CdCl_2$ (0.5 mg/kg, B), and $ZnCl_2$ (13.0 mg/kg, C) during time periods of $1{\sim}6$ weeks. At the end of the period, rats were challenged with $CdCl_2$ (3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 mg/kg, ip). After giving the challenge dose, cadmium and metallothionein (MT) concentrations were determined and also observed the histologic change in liver and kidney. The concentration of cadmium in liver and kidney increased dose-dependently to the challenge dosage. These da indicate the kidney is a major target organ of chronic cadmium poisoning, and suggest that cadmium induced hepatic injury, via release of Cd-MT, may play an important role in the nephrotoxicity observed in response to long-term exposure to cadmium. In addition, histologic examination of group $A_2,\;A_3\;and\;A_4$ revealed moderate to severe cadmium toxicity, evidenced by infiltration of inflammatory cells, cell swelling, pyknosis, enlarged sinusoids and necrosis in liver, and tubule cell necrosis and degeneration in kidney. However, MT concentrations in liver and kidney were increased by the pretreatment of $CdCl_2$ and $ZnCl_2$, and their morphological findings were not significantly changed, comparing with control group. Higher MT concentration in liver and kidney observed in the pretreated groups constitutes a plausible explanation of the protective effects of pretreatment against the cadmium toxicity after challenge dosing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Urban Environment
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.547-555
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• 2018

In addition to North America and Europe, Korea is also responding to the toxic damage caused by the production and distribution of chemicals. Methods for assessing bio-toxicity of harmful substances have been widely introduced, but it is required of quantitative and speedy information for modeling. For 6 heavy metals, as zinc, copper, chrome, cadmium, mercury and lead, bio-toxicity assessment and kinetics model were constructed using Vibrio fischeri which is widely used luminous bacteria. The degree of luminescence activity and the toxicity of heavy metals were relative limunescence unit, RLU measured as by using a photomultiplier embedded device. The toxicity was assessed by the concentration levels giving under 20% lethality and lethal concentration, $EC_{50}$. In the results, the toxicity order were followed from mercury, lead, copper, chrome, zinc and cadmium. $EC_{{50},{\infty}}$ obtained by trends of $EC_{50}$ by time follows had highly linear agreement with main parameters of bio-toxicity modelling. The average error rates of the reproduced lethality obtained from DAM and TDM model on the basis of body residue, were 10.2% for mercury, lead, copper, chrome and 20.0 for the all 6 methals.