• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.231-240
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• 2015

Objectives: Blood mercury levels among adults living in certain areas of the Gyeongsang Provinces have been shown to be very high (Kunwee County $29.6{\mu}g/L$, Yeongcheon-city $26.7{\mu}g/L$). The purpose of this project was to determine mercury exposure levels in schoolchildren and factors related with their mercury levels in high mercury exposure areas identifyed by the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey. Methods: From June to September 2010, 1,097 students from grades 3 to 6 at 19 elementary schools participated in this study, including 294 students from 10 elementary schools in Kunwee County, 529 students from Yeongcheon City, 122 students from two elementary schools in Pohang City, North Gyeongsang Province, and 152 students from two elementary schools in Ulsan Metropolitan City. Biological samples from schoolchildren, including whole blood, urine and hair, were collected to measure total mercury at the time of a health check up. Information about children was collected by questionnaire. Total mercury concentrations in blood were measured using the Direct Mercury Analyzer 80 with the gold-amalgam collection method. Results: The mean mercury levels were $2.70{\mu}g/L$ in 1,091 blood samples, $2.25{\mu}g/g-creat.$ in 820 urine samples and $1.03{\mu}g/g$ in 1,064 hair samples. Blood mercury levels in the schoolchildren was slightly higher than the result of $2.4{\mu}g/L$ from a 2006 survey of elementary school children on exposure and health effects of mercury by the National Institute of Environmental Research. However, 0.3% and 4.5% of participants exceeded the reference level of blood mercury by CHBMII ($15{\mu}g/L$) and the US EPA ($5.8{\mu}g/L$), respectively. The reference level of urine by CHBMII ($20{\mu}g/L$) was exceeded by 0.4% of participants. As factors, residence period in the study areas, residence type, father's education level and income all showed significant associations with mercury level in the biological samples. The number of dental amalgam sides showed an association with urine mercury. Fish intake preference and fish intake frequency were important factors in mercury levels. In particular, intake of shark meat and recent intake of shark meat were associated with higher mercury levels. In this regard, participation in the performance of an ancestral rite showed a relation with higher mercury levels. Conclusion: The intake of shark meat was very important factor to high mercury exposure level. It is recommended to monitor and manage students with high mercury exposures who exceeded CHBM II and EPA guidelines, and include blood mercury testing in the Children's Health check up for this province.

• 환경위생공학
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.75-85
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• 1988

An atomic absorption spectrophotometry analysis study of zinc, cadimium, lead, copper and mercury in human scalp hair samples of 699 subjects in 3 urban and 4 rural communities gave mean values of 170.33/187.00 ppm, 0.18/0.22 ppm, 8.43/8.62 ppm, 9.81/10.24 ppm and 2.13/1.20 ppm for male and female, respectively. The concentration did not differ significantly regardless ages. However, female was higher than male in overall concentration except that of mercury. The percentile methods was partially applied for a reference values of metals in Korean scalp hair to provide more appropriate data for further comparisons.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.368-379
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• 1989

정신지체와 인체내 수은 함량과의 관련성을 보기 위해 정신지체아 297명(가정이 있는 아동이 다니는 특수학교 1개교의 132명과 고아로 구성된 특수학교의 165명)을 대상으로, 학업성적이 중위권 이상인 일반 국민학교 학생 117명을 대조군으로 하여 두발 중 수은 함량을 원자흡광광도계를 사용하여 측정, 비교해 보았다. 발 중 수은 함량의 연령에 따른 차이는 없었다. 정신지체아에서 대조군에 비해 두발 중 수은량이 유의하게 높았다(남자 지체아 : 3.02ppm, 남자대조군 : 2.20ppm, 여자 지체아 : 2.76ppm, 여자 대조군 : 2.02ppm). 가정이 없는 정신지체아의 경우 수은 함량이 날자가 3.27ppm, 여자가 3.04ppm으로써 대조군의 남자 2.20ppm, 여자가 2.02ppm에 비해 각각 통계학적으로 유의한 차이가 있었으며, 가정이 있는 정신지체아군은 남자가 2.76ppm, 여자가 2.31ppm으로써 남자는 대조군과 유의한 차이가 있었으나 여자는 대조군에 비해 수치는 다소 높았으나 통계학적 유의성은 없었다. 그리고 가정이 없는 정신지체아가 가정이 있는 경우에 비해 유의한 차이가 있었다. 그러나 정신지체 정도와 두발 중 수은 함량과는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 동반 질환은 Down씨 증후군, 전간, 뇌성마비, 자폐증 등이 있었으며, 남자의 경우에서는 Down씨 증후군과 뇌성마비를 동반한 경우, 여자에서는 Down씨 증후군과 자폐증을 동반한 경우에 대조군에 비해 통계학적으로 유의하게 높았다. 그리고 동반된 질환이 없는 경우가 대부분이나 이들고 대조군에 비해 유의하게 높았다. 동반된 장애유형은 언어장애가 40.4%로 가장 많았고 지체부자유, 정서장애의 순이며 중복장애자는 두발중 6ppm이 초과되는 6명중 66.7%, 3-6ppm군에서는 10.4%, 3ppm이하군에서는 15.7% 이었다. 본 연구의 결과로 볼 때 정신지체아군에서 수은에 노출될 기회가 더욱 많았을 것이며 이것이 정신지체의 한 인자로 작용했을 가능성을 배제할 수는 없을 것으로 추측된다. 이에 따라 이들의 생활공간에 대한 환경조사, 식생활 및 식습관 조사 등을 통해 정신지체와 수은과의 인과관계를 밝혀 나가야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.245-247
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• 2011

There were only a few reports of mercury on pulmonary artery. However, there is no data on surgery related mercury dissemination. The objective of the present article is to describe one case of postoperative injected mercury dissemination. A 19-year-old man presented severe neck pain including meningeal irritation sign and abdominal pain after injection of mercury for the purpose of suicide. Radiologic study showed injected mercury in the neck involving high cervical epidural space and subcutaneous layer of abdomen. Partial hemilaminectomy and open mercury evacuation of spinal canal was performed. For the removal of abdominal subcutaneous mercury, C-arm guided needle aspiration was done. After surgery, radiologic study showed disseminated mercury in the lung, heart, skull base and low spinal canal. Neck pain and abdominal pain were improved after surgery. During 1 month after surgery, there was no symptom of mercury intoxication except increased mercury concentration of urine, blood and hair. We assumed the bone work during surgery might have caused mercury dissemination. Therefore, we recommend minimal invasive surgical technique for removal of injected mercury. If open exposures are needed, cautious surgical technique to prohibit mercury dissemination is necessary and normal barrier should be protected to prevent the migration of mercury.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.215-222
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• 1999

많은 역학조사에서 두발을 이용하여 체내 중금속 오염 정도를 알아보는 방법이 유용한 것으로 보고 있다. 본 논문에서는 61구의 부검체를 이용하여 다변량기법으로 두발과 장기의 수은 및 카드늄 축적정도를 측정하여 상호간 관련성을 밝히고자 하였다. 그 결과 수은의 경우 두발에서의 축적정도와 2차 축적장기와는 통계적으로 유의한 상관성이 있는 것으로 나타났다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제28권
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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.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.268-276
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• 2015

Objectives: According to the 2007 Korea National Environmental Health Survey (KNEHS), some areas in the Gyeongsang Provinces showed very high blood mercury levels in adults. We conducted this project to investigate any related health effects in children due to mercury levels in these areas. Methods: In total, 1,097 students between grades 3 and 6 at 19 elementary schools were recruited from four areas with high mercury exposure as identified by the KNEHS. Total mercury levels in biological samples were compared with health check-ups performed on the schoolchildren. Biological monitoring, supported by questionnaires, a computerized neurobehavioral test, a posturography test and a personality test, were applied. Results: Triglycerides showed a significant relation with mercury in blood, urine and hair. Total mercury concentrations were divided into two groups: upper and lower concentration groups based on the median value. In the computerized neurobehavioral test, the upper blood mercury group showed a greater reaction time for color-word vigilance (p<0.05). In the posturography test, the intensity value of the tremor test showd high significant relations with mercury levels (p<0.01). In the personality test, self-consciousness, misdeeds and family relationships showed significant differences between the upper and lower urine mercury groups (p<0.01), and specific reactions, ego resilience and hyperactivity also showed some differences (p<0.1). Conclusion: Some items in the neurobehavioral test, posturography test and personality test showed significant relations with biological mercury levels. Therefore, monitoring and appropriate management of students showing high mercury levels are recommended in order to reduce their mercury exposure.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.42-48
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• 2023

An adult male Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) with ataxia and lethargy was rescued. Through the necropsy of this otter with neurological symptoms, a broad range of vascular damage caused by mercury toxicity in several organs, hepatocellular necrosis, and vacuolation in the brain. In mercury examination, liver, kidney, and hair showed values of 0.878 ± 0.027, 1.807 ± 0.049, and 5.712 ± 0.102 ㎍/g, respectively. Compared with certified reference material, it was confirmed that the concentration of mercury were 6.7 times, 13.7 times, and 43.3 times higher, respectively. When the symptoms and diagnosis results were comprehensively reviewed, this otter's demise was revealed due to mercury poisoning. The mercury concentration in the liver does not exceed the lowest observed effect level of 3.4 ㎍/g. However, even at low concentrations, long-term accumulation can cause symptoms including neuropathy, and the possibility that these heavy metals have accumulated in other wild animals cannot be ruled out. It seems that continuous monitoring using sentinel animals is necessary.

• 한국원자력학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국원자력학회 2002년도 추계학술발표회요약집
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• pp.367-367
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• 2002

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.296-308
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• 1990

정신분열증과 수은 및 구리와의 관계를 보기 위해 정신병원에 입원중인 만성 정신분열증 환자중 만 20세에서 29세까지의 남자 80명과 대조군 69명을 대상으로 두발 중 구리와 수은 함량을 원자흡광광도계로써 측정하고 아울러 이들에게서 다면적 인성검사(MMPI)를 실시하였다. MMPI의 각 척도별 T-점수를 환자군과 대조군으로 나누어 비교한 결과 Hs, D, Pd, Pa, Pt, Sc척도에서 환자군이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 높은 점수가 나왔고 점수 구간에 따른 분포도 환자군과 대조군 사이에 유의한 차이가 있었다. 구리의 경우 환자군의 두발 중 함량이 $11.17{\pm}3.72ppm$으로 대조군의 $18.93{\pm}7.81ppm$에 비해 유의하게 낮았으며 수은의 경우는 환자군이 $2.42{\pm}1.46ppm$으로서 대조군의 $1.68{\pm}1.07ppm$에 비해 유의하게 높았다. 이때 거주지에 따른 차이는 볼 수 없었다. 구리와 수은은 역상관관계(r=-0.25)를 보였으며 통계학적으로 유의하였다. MMPI의 T점수에 따른 구리 함량은 10개 척도 모두에게 유의한 차이가 없었다. 수은의 경우는 Pt척도와 Sc척도에서 각 점수군간에 통계학적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다. T점수의 70점 이상과 미만의 두 군간을 비교하였을 때는 70점 이상군의 Pa척도, Pt척도, Sc척도에서의 수은 함량이 각각 $2.72{\pm}1.49ppm,\;2.93{\pm}1.27ppm,\;2.66{\pm}1.42ppm$으로서 70점 미만군의 $1.97{\pm}1.30 ppm,\;1.98{\pm}1.32 ppm,\;1.92{\pm}1.29ppm$에 비해 유의하게 높았다. 다른 척도의 경우에도 통계학적인 의의는 없었지만 Mf척도를 제외하고는 전반적으로 70점 이상군이 미만군보다 수은 함량이 더 높았다. 그리고 D, Pa, Sc척도에서는 T점수가 증가함에 따라 수은 함량도 유의하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 환자군과 대조군으로 나누었을 때 구리의 경우 대부분 척도의 각 점수군에서 환자군이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 함량이 낮았으며 수은의 경우는 D척도의 44점 이하군, Hy척도의 $45{\sim}59$점군, Pd척도의 $60{\sim}69$점군, Mf척도의 $45{\sim}59$점군, Ma척도의 $60{\sim}69$점군, Si척도의 44점 이하군에서만 환자군이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 높은 수치를 나타냈다. 본 연구의 결과로 볼 때 구리의 결핍이나 수은의 과다 섭취가 정신분열증의 발병 혹은 증상 악화에 영향을 끼칠 수 있을 가능성을 짐작해 볼 수 있으며 이들 금속과 정신분열증의 상관관계, 그리고 인성과의 관계에 대해 계속 연구해 볼 필요성을 느낀다.