• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.28
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• pp.15.1-15.8
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• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the association between low-level mercury exposure and neurobehavioral functions in adults living in coastal regions of Korea. Methods We selected 172 adults aged 20-65 years living in a city in the coastal region of Korea. A sociodemographic survey was conducted, mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were measured, and the associations according to computerized neurobehavioral tests were determined using univariate analysis. After adjustment for associated variables, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. Results The geometric mean mercury levels in the blood, urine, and hair were $5.41{\mu}g/L$ (range, $0.00-15.84{\mu}g/L$), $1.17{\mu}g/g$-creatinine (range, $0.00-32.86{\mu}g/g$-creatinine), and 1.37 mg/kg (range, 0.42-6.56 mg/kg), respectively. Variables that were associated with simple reaction time according to the neurobehavioral test results were age and urine mercury level. Variables associated with choice reaction time were the recent use of Korean traditional medicine and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the right-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, smoking behavior, education level, monthly household income, and urine mercury level. Variables associated with the left-hand finger tapping speed test were age, gender, education level, and urine mercury level. After adjustment for associated variables, there was no significant association between urine mercury level and simple reaction time (${\beta}=25.96$; p =0.47), choice reaction time (${\beta}=50.37$; p =0.32), or the number of left-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-1.54$; p =0.21). However, urine mercury level was significantly associated with the number of right-hand finger taps (${\beta}=-3.86$; p =0.01). Conclusions We found no evidence that low-level mercury exposure in adults is associated with deficits in neurobehavioral functions. A longer follow-up study is required to confirm this conclusion.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.51-68
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• 1994

One aim of this study was to find out the difference of indirect blood pressure between the types of instruments. The difference of indirect blood pressure was measured with mercury sphygomomanometer and electronic blood pressuremeter. Another was to determine the difference of indirect blood pressure according to width of cuff and site of cuff. Indirect blood pressures were measured with the diaphragmatic side of sphygomomanometer. The subjects were 40 female volunteers, whose arm circumferences were from 22 to 34cm. The data were analyzed by SPSS-PC program and pared t-test was used. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. Mercury sphygomomanometer systolic pressure was higher(average 2.20mmhg) than electronic blood pressuremeter. It was statistically significant(p=0.026). 2. The value of Mercury sphygomomanometer diastolic pressure was lower(2.00mmhg) than electronic's. It was statistically significant(p=0.03) 3. In the mercury sphygomomanometer systolic pressure, the value of standard cuff($12{\times}23cm$) was higher(2.40mmhg) than large one's($14{\times}45cm$). It was statistically significant(p=0.007). 4. In diastolic pressure(K4), the value of standard cuff was higher(0.65mmhg) than large cuff's. It was not statistically significant(p=0.481). In K5, the value of standard cuff($12{\times}23cm$) was higher(0.55mmhg) than large cuff's. It was not statistically significant(p=0.541). 5. Difference according to site of showed that the values of systolic pressure over elbow joint were higher(20.00mmhg, 26.45mmhg) than ones at site of elbow joint. It was significant statistically(p=0.000) and clinically. 6. The values of diastolic pressure(K4) over elbow joint were higher(17.10mmhg, 21.60mmhg) than ones at site of elbow joint. It was significant statistically (p=0.000) and clinically. The values of K5 over elbow joint were higher(17.25mmhg, 22.15mmhg) than ones at site of elbow joint. It was significant statistically(p=0.000) and clinically. I think similar studies about indirect blood pressure according to diseases and positions are necessary. In addition, similar studies, are required about accuracy of method electronic blood pressuremeter according to site of mesurement.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2012

The effects of inorganic mercury on hematological parameters and hepatic oxidative stress enzyme activity were studied in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Fish were injected twice intraperitoneally with mercuric chloride (2, 4, or 8 mg Hg/kg BW). The major hematological findings were significant decreases in the red blood cell count, hematocrit value, and hemoglobin level in olive flounder exposed to 8 mg Hg/kg BW. Remarkably low levels of calcium and chloride, and reduced osmolality, were also observed at 8 mg Hg/kg BW. In hepatic tissue, significant increases in glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity were observed above 4 mg Hg/kg BW Inorganic mercury also increased glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activity at 8 mg Hg/kg BW in hepatic tissue. The present findings suggest that exposure to a low concentration (${\geq}4$ mg Hg/kg BW) of inorganic mercury can cause significant changes in hematological and antioxidant parameters.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-226
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• 1985

0.1%-Merthiolate solutions were applied to rats with or without sodium selenite. Rat organs were excised under ether anesthesia. Mercury contents in rat tissues were determined by quartz tube combustion gold amalgamation method. Mercury contents were accumulated at about 3-fold in the brain, 143-fold in the kidney, 62-fold in the blood cell, 22-fold in the liver than those of untreated rats respectively, on the 1st day after application of mert iolate for 7 days. On the other hand, the addition of sodium selenite caused a shift in the tissue mercury distribution. Our study showed that simultaneous administration of sodium selenite increased the accumulation of mercury in the brain, but became to decrease it after 9 days, while decreased it in the kidney, but grew to increase it, respectively.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2012

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between fish consumption and blood mercury levels in a sample of adult Koreans. Methods: The study subjects were 299 residents of Busan (male: 65, female: 234) and 185 residents of Namhae (male: 69, female: 116), South Korea. Demographic characteristics, current smoking, current drinking, fish consumption per week, past history of amalgam treatment, and residential district were recorded by trained interviewers in June and July, 2009. We considered a portion of fish to be equivalent to 70 gm weight, and calculated amounts of fish consumed per week. Using chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis, we estimated the relationships between blood mercury levels and amount of fish consumed per week and other factors. Results: The mean blood mercury level of our subjects was 6.61 ${\mu}g/L$, higher than the criterion defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (5.8 ${\mu}g/L$). In multiple linear regression analysis, residential district and amount of fish consumed per week were associated with blood mercury levels. However, marital status, current drinking, and gender, and age were not associated with blood mercury levels. Conclusions: In conclusion, we suggest the implementation of systematic and periodic population-based studies to decrease the risks of mercury poisoning among South Koreans who consume fish as a regular part of the diet.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2009

This paper reviews the current status of mercury research on exposure and contamination, mercury emissions, emission limits and control technologies, long-range transport and deposition research, and mercury management policy in Korea. According to a monitoring of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, blood mercury levels among Koreans are $5{\sim}8$ times higher than those of U.S. and Germany. The most dominant source of exposure to mercury is through dietary intake. Emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants are estimated 8.93 ton/year in 2004. Emissions of mercury from other important sources, such as waste incineration, steel and cement manufacturing and non-ferrous metal smelting operations are to be further investigated. A study on long-range transport of mercury suggests that the dry deposition flux over the Yellow Sea was much greater than those for other oceans. As a whole, the amounts of wet depositions of nitrogen and sulfur were 1.9 and 1.5 times larger than the amounts of dry depositions in each species, respectively. Substantial influence from China caused by high emissions in East China and westerly wind was possibly suggested. However, the influence from nitrogen emission in Korea was also confirmed. Korean Government has already adopted stringent emission limits on mercury for incinerators and boilers in 2005. However, emission limits for coal-fired power plants and non-ferrous metal smelters are rather relaxed. As the above mentioned two sources can be two most important sources of mercury emissions, control strategy for those sources are to be considered.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate a relationship between the blood concentrations of toxic metals and the blood pressure in people living near the copper smelter. Methods: The study included 570 adults living within 4km of the smelter. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups for blood cadmium, mercury and lead levels, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Results: In male subjects, there is a significant difference in the mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups of blood cadmium and mercury levels, but in women, there was no significant difference in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all tertiary groups of heavy metals. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, BMI, and cadmium concentration in men were risk factors for blood pressure. In women, age and BMI, drinking and smoking, and blood mercury were significantly influenced to blood pressure. Conclusions: Residents living near the Janghang smelter showed high concentrations of blood lead and cadmium, suggesting that they were exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals released from the smelter in the past. Such exposure may have caused some blood pressure increase. Especially, the concentration of cadmium in the case of men and the concentration of mercury in blood in the case of women were found to be significantly related to the increase of blood pressure. The local population should be advised to make efforts to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants, in order to minimize cardiovascular disease, and to pay close attention to any health problems possibly related to toxic metal exposure.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2017

A total number of 668 apparently healthy fish were obtained from farm to study the effect of two heavy metals in a form of (Copper sulfate and Mercuric chloride) on some hematological and biochemical parameters of blood. The $LC_{50}$ /96 hr. of Cu and Hg were estimated and fish exposed to $\text\tiny{^1/_2}$ $LC_{50}$ for 7 days and for $1/_{10}$ $LC_{50}$ for 8 weeks from each product separately. Results showed decrease in RBCs count, PCV% and Hb in acute and chronic mercury while a significant increase was shown in acute and chronic copper toxicity, total leucocytic count showed decrease in acute mercury toxicity and increase in the chronic case, while in copper toxicity non-significant decrease in acute and significant decrease in chronic toxicity was noticed. Elevated serum urea and creatinine in both acute and chronic mercury and copper toxicity was detected. No changes in total bilirubin in the acute mercury and chronic copper toxicity while significant increase in chronic mercury and acute copper. Elevation of serum AST and ALT in some days of acute toxicity of mercury and copper while in chronic mercury toxicity a significant elevation of both serums AST and ALT were detected .while in chronic copper toxicity serum AST was fluctuated and ALT showed no significant changes. CK study revealed significant decrease in acute mercury with fluctuation in the chronic toxicity while in copper toxicity it showed fluctuation in acute and significant decrease in chronic toxicity. Glucose value decreased in acute and chronic mercury toxicity while in copper toxicity it showed significant increase in the acute and increase followed by significant decrease in the chronic copper toxicity.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.51-61
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and blood heavy metal concentration in Korean adult population using the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey(KNHANES 2013-2015). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between socioeconomic status and the blood heavy metal concentration. Positive association was found between education and income level and blood concentration of mercury while those of lead and cadmium were negatively associated education and income level in Korean adult population (P for trend <0.001). At the point of an increase in the prevalence of heavy metal concentrations in the blood, a national public health policy will be needed to address the inequity of health due to socioeconomic factors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1434-1437
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• 2004

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of montmorillonite anocomposite (MNC) on mercury residues in growing/finishing pigs. A total of 96 cross bred pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}large$ white, 48 barrows and gilts respectively), with similar initial weight (27.87${\pm}$1.15 kg), were used in this study. The animals were randomly assigned to two concentrations of mercury (0.1 and 0.3 ppm from $HgCl_2$) and two levels (0 and 0.3%) of MNC in a $2{\times}2$factorial arrangement of treatments. Each group has 3 pens (replications), and each pen has 8 pigs (4 barrows and 4 gilts). The experiment lasted for 90 days. The results showed that pig growth performances were not affected significantly by inclusion of Hg and addition of MNC (p$\geq$0.05). It indicated that the extent of intoxication in these pigs were not severe enough to impair growth performances. Both on the bases of 0.1 ppm and 0.3 ppm mercury supplementations, addition of 0.3% MNC markedly decreased mercury levels of blood, muscle, kidney and liver tissue (p<0.05). These results implied that the addition of non-nutritive sorptive material, MNC, could effectively reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of mercury via its specific adsorption, with a consequent reduction of mercury residues in body tissues. MNC had offered an encouraging solution to produce safe animal products with mercury contaminated feed.