• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.15-23
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• 2004

Deicer operations provide traffic safety during winter driving conditions in urban areas. Using large quantities of de-icing chemicals (i.e., $CaCl_2$ and NaCl) can cause serious environmental problems and may change behaviors of heavy metals in roadside sediments, resulting in an increase in mobilization of heavy metals due to complexation of heavy metals with chloride ions. To examine effect of de-icing salt concentration on the leaching behaviors and mobility of heavy metals (cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, arsenic, nickel, chromium, cobalt, manganese, and iron), leaching experiments were conducted on roadside sediments collected from Seoul city using de-icing salt solutions having various concentrations (0.01-5.0M). Results indicate that zinc, copper, and manganese in roadside sediments were easily mobilized, whereas chromium and cobalt remain strongly fixed. The zinc, copper and manganese concentrations measured in the leaching experiments were relatively high. De-icing salts can cause a decrease in partitioning between adsorbed (or precipitated) and dissolved metals, resulting in an increase in concentrations of dissolved metals in salt laden snowmelt. As a result, run-off water quality can be degraded. The de-icing salt applied on the road surface also lead to infiltration and contamination of heavy metal to groundwater.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2015

There is an increasing concern over heavy metal(loid) contamination of soil in agricultural areas including paddy soils. This study was conducted to monitor the background levels of heavy metal(loid)s, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in major rice growing soils and its accumulation in brown rice in Korea. The samples were collected from 82 sites nationwide in the year 2012. The mean and range values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in paddy soils were 4.41 (0.16-18.9), 0.25 (0.04-0.82), 13.24 (3.46-27.8), 0.047 (0.01-0.20), 13.60 (3.78-35.0), 21.31 (8.47-36.7), and 54.10 $(19.19-103.0)mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. This result indicated that the heavy metal(loid) levels in all sampled paddy soils are within the permissible limits of the Korean Soil Environment Conservation Act. The mean and range values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in brown rice were 0.146 (0.04-0.38), 0.024 (0.003-0.141), 4.27 (1.26-16.98), 0.0024 (0.001-0.008), 0.345 (0.04-2.77), 0.113 (0.04-0.197), and 22.64 $(14.1-35.1)mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. The mean and range BCF (bioconcentration factor) values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in brown rice were 0.101 (0.01-0.91), 0.121 (0.01-0.70), 0.399 (0.05-2.60), 0.061 (0.016-0.180), 0.033 (0.004-0.44), 0.005 (0.003-0.013), and 0.473 (0.19-1.07), respectively, with Zn showing the highest. The results show that the levels of all metal(loid)s in all sampled brown rice are generally within the acceptable limit for human consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.255-263
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• 2023

The standards for heavy metal levels in crustaceans are 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg or lower for lead and cadmium, respectively. Further, the contamination levels of arsenic, mercury, methyl mercury, and tin are being continuously investigated, considering their current exposure levels. Shrimps are potentially exposed to heavy metals because they inhabit areas with abundant organic matter, such as sandy or muddy shores, places with a lot of seaweed, and estuaries. This study measured the monetary value of reducing consumer anxiety and increasing consumer confidence if the government prohibits the sale of shrimp species that exceed the threshold for specific heavy metals and of the top shrimp species for which no threshold for heavy metals is specified. We derived consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP). Combining the estimated WTP with the number of households in the country, the total value of benefits was estimated to be 363.9 billion won. The results of this study will provide an important empirical finding, showing to what extent specific policies regarding heavy metals in seafood can alleviate consumer anxiety and provide psychological reassurance.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2023

Acid mine drainage(AMD) treatment is classified as both passive and active treatment. During the treatment, about 5,000 tons of neutralization sludge is generated as a by-product per year in Korea. This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of sludge generated from physico·chemical treatment processes as an active treatment from 5 different sources (D, H, S, T, Y) and the possibility of the sludges being recycled. The sludges have a pH range of 5.86 ~ pH 7.89, and a water content range of 51% ~ 82%. Most of particle sizes were less than 25 ㎛. In analysis of inorganic elements, the concentration of Al, Fe, and Mn were between 1,189 mg/kg ~ 129,344 mg/kg, 106,132 mg/kg ~ 338,011 mg/kg, and 3,472 mg/kg ~ 11,743 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of As and Zn in sludge-T, Cd in sludge-D, Ni in sludge-H, Zn in sludge-S, and Cd in sludge-Y exceeded the soil contamination standards of Korea. The results from 2 separate kinds of leaching test, the Korea Standard Leaching Test(KSLT) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure(TCLP), showed that all the sludges met the Korea groundwater standards. From the XRD and SEM-EDS analysis, the peaks of calcite and quartz were found in the sludges. The sludge also had a high proportion of Fe and O, and the majority of the composition was amorphous iron hydroxide.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2009

Four heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, and Hg) in 38 species (total 325 samples) of oriental animality medicines were monitored by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and automatic mercury analyzer (AMA). The detected concentration range of Pb, Cd, As was presented as $0.02{\mu}gkg^{-1}$ $(D.L){\sim}11.29mgkg^{-1}$, $0.01{\mu}gkg^{-1}$ $(D.L){\sim}2.50 mgkg^{-1}$, $0.12{\mu}gkg^{-1}$ $(D.L){\sim}5.27mgkg^{-1}$, respectively. In case of Hg, it the concentration range was $0.01{\sim}77.11mgkg^{-1}$ except one sample which exceeded detection limit. In all samples of Amydae Carapax and Gallnut, it was not detected over the maximum residue limits of metals. Pb is in charge of the greatest portion of contamination in 22 species of animality medicines, and in case of Hg, 54.46% of total samples were over the maximum residue limits. Therefore, environmental levels of Pb and Hg are needed to continue the researches and the studies for tracking pollution source are required.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.72-84
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• 2008

This study was carried out to provide proper management plans for small portable water supply system in the Nonsan area through water quality monitoring, hydrogeochemical investigation and multivariate statistical analyses. Nonsan area is a typical rural area heavily depending on small water supply system for portable usage. Geology of the area is composed of granite dominantly along with metasedimentary rocks, gneiss and volcanic rocks. The monitoring results of small portable water supply system showed that 13-21% of groundwaters have exceeded the groundwater standard for drinking water, which is 5 to 8 times higher than the results from the whole country survey (2.5% in average). The major components exceeding the standard limits are nitrate-nitrogen, turbidity, total coliform, bacteria, fluoride and arsenic. High nitrate contamination observed at southern and northern parts of the study area seems to be caused by cultivation practices such as greenhouses. Although Ca and $HCO_3$ are dominant species in groundwater, concentrations of Na, Cl and $NO_3$ have increased at the granitic area indicating anthropogenic contamination. The groundwaters are divided into 2 groups, granite and metasedimentary rock/gneiss areas, with the second principal component presenting anthropogenic pollution by cultivation and residence from the principal components analysis. The discriminant analysis, with an error of 5.56% between initial classification and prediction on geology, can explain more clearly the geochemical characteristics of groundwaters by geology than the principal components analysis. Based on the obtained results, it is considered that the multivariate statistical analysis can be used as an effective method to analyze the integrated hydrogeochemical characteristics and to clearly discriminate variations of the groundwater quality. The research results of small potable water supply system in the study area showed that the groundwater chemistry is determined by the mixed influence of land use, soil properties, and topography which are controlled by geology. To properly control and manage small water supply systems for central and local governments, it is recommended to construct a total database system for groundwater environment including geology, land use, and topography.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.258-263
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• 2016

The risks of sanitary indicative bacteria, heavy metals and chlorinated derivatives in 94 cases of sanitary wet towels used in food services (39 from sanitary wet towel treatment business, 55 from food services) were assessed in the present study. Lead was detected in the range of N.D.~0.41 mg/kg (75 cases were not detected), N.D.~0.25 mg/kg of arsenic (93 cases were not detected), N.D.~0.01 mg/kg of cadmium (7 cases were lower than limit of quantitation; 87 cases were not detected), 0.003 mg/kg ~ 0.09 mg/kg of mercury. And chromium (VI) was not detected from all samples. The level of lead was the highest among the tested heavy metals, and the highest concentration of lead was 0.41 mg/kg. However, it was only 2.1% of legal limit (less than 20 mg/kg). The average moisture content of the samples was 61.9% (50.0% ~ 77.0%) and it showed no relevance to the detection of bacterial counts. Escherichia coli was not detected. Bacterial counts were detected 43 cases and among them, 24 cases were exceeded the legal limit. It was verified that the packaging conditions of sanitary wet towel (whether it is packed by a piece or not and sealed or not) are critical factors to cause the germ contamination and cross contamination in the wet towels. The chlorinated derivatives (chlorites and chlorates) were detected in 17 (19.3%) out of 88 cases. The results would be used as preliminary information to establish the programs of "Safety education for manufacturers and public policy of safety".

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2012

The objective of this study is investigation of contamination levels and assessment of health risk effects of heavy metals in herbal pills. 31 Items and 93 samples were obtained for this investigation from major herbal medicine producing areas, herbal markets and on-line supermarkets from Jan to Jun in 2010. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method was conducted for the quantitative analysis of Pb, Cd and As. In addition, the mercury analyzer system was conducted for that of Hg without sample digestion. The average contents of heavy metals in samples were as follows : 0.87 mg/kg for Pb, 0.08 mg/kg for Cd, 2.87 mg/kg for As and 0.16 mg/kg for Hg, respectively. In addition, the average contents of heavy metals in different parts of plants, including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were 0.63 mg/kg, 3.94 mg/kg, 1.42 mg/kg, 1.05 mg/kg, 0.16 mg/kg, 22.31 mg/kg and 10.17 mg/kg, respectively. After the estimations of dietary exposure, the acceptable daily intake (ADI), the average daily dose (ADD), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and the relative hazard of heavy metals were evaluated. As the results, the relative hazards compared to PTWI in samples were below the recommended standard of JECFA as Pb 3.1%, Cd 0.9%, Hg 0.5%. Cancer risks through slope factor (SF) by Ministry of Environment Republic Korea and Environmental Protection Agency was $4.24{\times}10^{-7}$ for Pb and $3.38{\times}10^{-4}$ for As (assuming that the total arsenic content was equal to the inorganic arsenic). Based on our results, possible Pb-induced cancer risks in herbal pills according to parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.95{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.45{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.14{\times}10^{-7}$, $6.27{\times}10^{-7}$, $1.99{\times}10^{-8}$, $3.61{\times}10^{-7}$ and $9.64{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Possible As-induced cancer risks in herbal pills by parts used including cortex, fructus, herba, radix, seed, algae and others were $1.54{\times}10^{-5}$, $7.24{\times}10^{-5}$, $1.23{\times}10^{-4}$, $2.02{\times}10^{-5}$, $3.25{\times}10^{-6}$, $2.18{\times}10^{-3}$ and $5.67{\times}10^{-6}$ respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that the majority of samples except for some samples with relative high contents of heavy metals were safe.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.235-248
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• 2010

To construct the standard methods for evaluation of physicochemical characteristics of tailings in Korea, specific gravity, paste pH, grain size, mineral compositions and heavy metal concentrations of total 26 tailings from 21 metallic mines were analyzed. Specific gravity of tailings ranged from 2.61 to 4.31 (avg. 3.04), and sand and silt grain were dominant in the tailings. Ranges of paste pH were 2.1-9.5 in tailings (7.1-9.2 at magmatic, skarn and hydrothermal replacement deposits and 2.1-9.5 at hydrothermal vein deposits). Additionally, hydrothermal vein deposits could be reclassified into three categories: (1) paste pH>7.0, (2) 4.0

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2007

Recently, the demand for the powdered products to process raw grains and vegetables has been expanded, and the growth possibility of their fields(markets) in the future will be highly valued with the westernization of living environment and the change of the dietary life. We have bought and analyzed the 111 products of raw grains and vegetables from the large-sized marts, markets and internet orders from March to October 2006. The rate of moisture content was $1.7{\sim}12.5%$. We also found out that the foods over 10% moisture content was 8 of those samples we bought or collected. Their ash rates were averagely $0.3{\sim}8.6%$. The number of those foods that the alien substances were detected was 2. The tar pigments, artificial sweeteners and sulfur dioxides of components that contained food additives were not detected. Each detection range of Cadmium, Lead and Arsenic of the injurious heavy metals was non-detectable $(nd){\sim}0.55,\;nd{\sim}4.52,\;nd{\sim}0.10mg/kg$, while the average detection content were 0.08, 0.48, 0.01 mg/kg. By investigating the contamination degree of the microflora, we discovered that the number of the aerobic plate count, B. cereus over 1,000 cfu/g and C. perfringens over 100 cfu/g was 36 (32.4%), 9 (8.1%) and zero, and that the whole sanitation condition of the products of powdered raw grains and vegetables circulated in the market was not so good.