• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.141-147
• /
• 2019

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical association between cadmium exposure and hearing impairment among the Korean population. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used the data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for our study. Finally, 3,228 participants were included in our study, which were then divided into quartiles based on their blood cadmium levels: first quartile (1Q), second quartile (2Q), third quartile (3Q), and fourth quartile (4Q) groups. The hearing thresholds were measured using an automatic audiometer at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 kHz. Hearing loss (HL) was defined as >25 dB average hearing threshold (AHT). Results: All the groups had 807 participants each. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of cadmium level for HL were 0.634 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.621-0.646). The participants in the 4Q group had higher Low/Mid-Freq, High-Freq, and AHT values than those in the other groups in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounding factors. The logistic regression showed that the OR for HL per $1{\mu}g/L$ increase in cadmium was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.09-1.44; p=0.002) on the multivariate analysis. Moreover, the multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the participants in the 4Q group exhibited a 1.59-, 1.38-, and 1.41-fold higher odds for HL than those in the 1Q, 2Q, and 3Q groups, respectively. Conclusion: High cadmium level quartile was associated with increased hearing thresholds and HL among the Korean adult population.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.459-473
• /
• 2014

The recent mass appearances of jellyfish in Korea have caused economic and social damage, as they plague swimmers and fishermen. However, jellyfish have high economic and nutritional value, and contain low levels of calories and hydrolysates. Thus, jellyfish are a natural, healthy food that can improve high blood pressure, bronchitis, and a multitude of other diseases. Here, we present research on the ecology, classification, bloom, damage caused, food component characterization, and tissues of jellyfish, with the aim of facilitating further study. Research on use of jellyfish as salted products, and for collagen and qniumucin would also be valuable. A jellyfish body is classified into three parts: the body, termed the umbrella; the oral arm; and the tentacle. Jellyfish are planktonic marine members of a group of invertebrate animals comprising the classes Schypozoa (phylum Cnidaria) and Cuboza. In Korea in 2012, jellyfish damage resulted in decreases of annual catch and commercial value estimated at 177 and 141 billion won, respectively. Because concentrations of heavy metals are below the safety limits for seafood, dried jellyfish appear to be safe raw materials for food. The proximate compositions of Nemopilema nomurai and Aurelia aurita were 97.1% and 96.5% moisture, 0.9% and 1.2% crude proteins, undetected and 0.1% crude lipids, and 1.7% and 1.8% ash, respectively. According to their total contents of essential, total, and non-essential amino acids, jellyfish gonads were deemed good-quality protein. Because the major functional components of jellyfish are collagen and qniumucin, jellyfish can be used salted, or these components of healthy diets can be extracted from them. For more effective use of jellyfish, unit costs should be decreased and safety guaranteed. Additionally, dehydrators attached to conveyor belts should be developed. Since jellyfish can be used throughout the year, they should be listed in the Korean Food Standards Codex as a food source.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.248-253
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) on immune system. The subjects were 42 male workers, among whom 13 office workers (Group I) had never been occupationally exposed to heavy metals, 21 were worked in manufacturing factories (Group II) and 8 were welders (Group III). The mean blood Mn and Pb level by groups were significantly different. The numbers of CD19+ and total lymphocytes in Group I were significantly higher than those in other groups, but no significant differences were found in other T lymphocytes subpopulation. Mn and Pb concentrations showed negative correlation with T lymphocytes subpopulation, but Mn concentrations were statistical significances with T lymphocytes subpoplation except CD4+CD45RO+ and natural killer cell. Pb concentration was only statistical significance with total lymphocytes. Our results suggest that occupationally exposed to Mn and Pb can affect the cellular immune response.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.115-134
• /
• 2017

A total number of 668 apparently healthy fish were obtained from farm to study the effect of two heavy metals (Copper and Mercury) on histopathology of liver, kidney, spleen, gills and muscles also residues in muscles. The $LC_{50}$/96 hr. of Cu and Hg were estimated and fish exposed to 1/2 $LC_{50}$ for 7 days and for 1/10 $LC_{50}$ for 8 weeks from each product separately. Histopathological findings in acute and chronic mercuric chloride toxicity revealed degeneration and necrosis in the glomeruli, interstitium tissue and epithelium lining renal tubules. The tubular epithelium became necrotic at several places. Eosinophilic hyaline droplets is exist in the cytoplasm of the necrosed cells. Degenerative changes and hyperactivity in melanomachrophage center was seen in the spleen together with some necrotic areas. Necrosis and aggregation of melanomachrophage were seen in the hepatic cells, Hepatic cells showed vacuolar degeneration in the hepatic cells. Gills showed loss in the lamellae of the filaments associated with edema, inflammatory cells infiltration and haemorrhages in the arch. The sarcoplasm of the bundles of the skeletal muscle showed granular degeneration and focal inflammatory cells infiltration between the hyalinized bundles. Mercury residues obtained from these studies in the acute toxicity were 0.22 ppm/gm in the 2nd day, 0.411 ppm/gm in the $5^{th}$ day ended with 0.96 ppm/gm in the $7^{th}$ day. In chronic toxicity it was 1.1320, 1.7140, 2.3620 and 3.5640 ppm/gm respectively from the $2^{nd}$ to the $8^{th}$ week of exposure. In acute and chronic copper toxicity, there was degenerative changes in renal tubules. Melanophores aggregation in the wall of the blood vessels of the spleen and depletion of some of the melanophores in the melanomachrophage were seen together with necrosis in some areas. Congested Mvs (Micro vessels) and vacuolation of hepatocytes were observed. Some areas of hemorrhage and melanophores vacuolar degeneration in the liver were seen. There was mitosis in some areas with displesia of hepatopancreatic cells and eosinophilic granular cells aggregation. Zymogen granules disappeared and there were dyplastic hepatocytes. Congestion in the blood vessels of the gill filaments, associated with massive number of granular eosinophilic cells infiltration were seen in the base of the filaments. There were sever vacuolization and hyalinization in the skeletal muscle bundles. Detection of residues of copper sulfate revealed increase of the amount of copper measured in ppm/gm comparing to the normal control starting from 0.60 ppm/g in the $2^{nd}$ day, 0.67 ppm/g in the $5^{th}$ day and 0.67 ppm/g in the $7^{th}$ day. Result obtained in chronic copper sulfate toxicity revealed gradual increase of the amount of copper which ranged from 0.18 ppm/g at the $2^{nd}$ week to 0.21 ppm/g in the $8^{th}$ week of exposure.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.1308-1312
• /
• 2016

Heavy metals such as gallium (Ga) cause serious physiological damage to exposed organisms, mostly of aquatic species. Ga one of the inter-metallic, transition elements increasingly being used in making high-speed semiconductors, such as Ga arsenide. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of Ga on acute toxicity, serum biochemical changes, and erythrocyte morphological changes in the blood stream of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Median lethal concentrations were determined in acute tests. The 96 hr $LC_{50}$ value was 9.15 mg/ml. Goldfish were exposed to different Ga concentrations (2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg/ml) for 30 days to assess its toxic effects. The results indicate that the measured serum biochemistry parameters (including glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglyceride) of the Ga-exposed fish groups differed significantly from the untreated fish group. In addition, a change in the erythrocytes' morphology at a high concentration (8.0 mg/ml) of Ga exposure shows respiratory problems. Our results suggest that 2.0 mg/ml is proposed as a biologically safe concentration that can be used for establishing tentative water quality criteria concerning the same-size goldfish.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.95-110
• /
• 1992

Much progress has been made in understanding the subcellular events of the human lung injuries after acute exposure to environmental air pollutants. Host of those events represent oxidative damages mediated by reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxy, free radical. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) was found to be endogenously produced by endothelial cells and cells of the reticulo-endothelial system as endothelialderived relaxation factor (EDRF) which is a vasoactive and neurotransmitter substance. Together with superoxide, NO can form another strong oxidant, peroxonitrite. The relative importance of exogenous sources of $N0/N0_2$ and endogenous production of NO by the EDRF producing enzymes in the oxidative stresses to the heman lung has to be elucidated. The exact events leading to chronic irreversible damage are still yet to be known. From chronic exposure to oxidant gases, progressive epithelial and interstitial damages develop. Type I epithelial cells become thicker and cover a smaller average alveolar surface area while thee II cells proliferate instead. Under acute damages, the extent of loss of the alveolar epithelial cell lining, especially type II cells appears to be a good predictor of the ensuing irreversible damage to alveolar compartment. Interstitial matrix undergo remodeling during chronic exposure with increased collagen fibers and interstitial fibroblasts. However, Inany of these changes can be reversed after cessation of exposure. Among chronic lung injuries, genetic damages and repair responses received particular attention in view of the known increased lung cancer risks from exposure to several air pollutants. Heavy metals from foundry emission, automobile traffics, and total suspended particulate, especially polycystic aromatic hydrocarbons have been positively linked with the development of lung cancer. Asbestos in another air pollutant with known risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, but asbestos fibers are nonauthentic in most bioassays. Studies using the electron spin resonance spin trapping method show that the presence of iron in asbestos accelerates the production of the hydroxy, radical in vitro. Interactions of these reactive oxygen species with particular cellular components and disruption of cell defense mechanisms still await further studies to elucidate the carcinogenic potential of asbestos fibers of different size and chemical composition. The distribution of inhaled pollutants and the magnitude of their eventual effects on the respiratory tract are determined by pollutant-independent physical factors such as anatomy of the respiratory tract and level and pattern of breathing, as well as by pollutant-specific phyco-chemical factors such as the reactivity, solubility, and diffusivity of the foreign gas in mucus, blood and tissue. Many of these individual factors determining dose can be quantified in vitro. However, mathematical models based on these factors should be validated for its integrity by using data from intact human lungs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.37 no.9
• /
• pp.511-516
• /
• 2015

On this study, we investigated the removal characteristics of residual chlorine and DBPs in tap-water during boiling. Also we investigated the releasing characteristics of essential minerals in infusion tea. While recent studies focused on removal mechanisms of harmful heavy metals in infusion tea, this study tried to suggest the way to drink tap-water healthier and safer by examining releasing mechanisms of essential minerals in infusion tea. As a result, residual chlorine(initial conc. was 0.7 mg/L) was all removed in 20 minutes after heating and DBPs (the sum of THMs, HAAs and CH) were removed up to 65%. 6 kinds of essential minerals (Ca, K, Na, Mg, S, P) were released from 5 kinds of infusion tea (barley tea, corn tea, brown rice tea, cassia seed tea, solomon's seal tea) on the market. In cassia seed tea, the amount of essential minerals released from tea showed the highest values, 9.6 mg/g, and brown rice tea was the lowest, 1.6 mg/g. Particularly, the released amounts of potassium, playing a key role in human body in maintaining normal blood pressure, cell metabolism and enzyme action, showed relatively high. Through this study, we got to know that essential minerals can be obtained up to 40% of recommended nutritional intake for Korean by boiling tap-water with infusion tea.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.385-392
• /
• 2001

Environmental risk factors such as ionizing radiations, heavy metals, and pesticides can cause environmental disasters when they exist in excess. The increases in use of ionizing radiation and agricultural pesticide are somewhat related to the possibility of the disaster. The risk of radiation and pesticide was evaluated by means of the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay on the human blood lymphocytes. The lymphocytes were irradiated with $0{\sim}2.0Gy$ of $^{60}Co$ gamma ray. Another groups of lymphocytes were exposed to various concentrations of parathion. Significantly increased tail moment, which was a marker of DNA strand breaks in SCGE assay, showed a clear dose- or concentration-response relationship. Parathion of a recommended concentration for agricultural use ($1mg {\ell}^{-1}$ ) has a strong cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes, which is equivalent to damage induced by 0.1 Gy of ${\gamma}$-ray. Furthermore, $2mg{\ell}^{-1}$ of parathion can give rise to DNA damage equivalent to that induced by 0.25 Gy at which the radiation-induced damage can start to develop into clinical symptoms. The comparative results of this study can provide an experimental basis and biological information for the prevention of environmental disaster.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2022

Fine dust enters the lungs or blood vessels through the respiratory tract through the air. Recently, due to the fine dust problem, the demand for air purifiers in Korea is also increasing rapidly. Moss is the oldest terrestrial plant, and it is known that it has the property of adsorbing and decomposing heavy metals and fine dust. To compare the effect of reducing fine dust between moss and the existing chemical filter (Hepa), a cube of 1 m³ was manufactured and the amount of fine dust reduction under a controlled environment was compared. Under the fine dust conditions, an umbrella moss filter, rat tail moss filter, feather moss filter, and silk moss filter were inserted for a total of 40 experiments, 10 times each in 4 different situations. The difference between the amount after 30 minutes was statistically significant for all filters. However, as a result of the test, it was confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference between filters for fine dust, mixed gas, CO₂, and O₂. In particular, it was confirmed that the previously claimed effect of oxygen generation was almost nonexistent. Through this result, it was confirmed that the reduction of fine dust is effective regardless of the species view of moss, and it is expected to replace or supplement the chemical filter of the existing air purifier through future improvement.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.82-87
• /
• 2007

This research was performed to investigate chemical and microbiological hazards of Ready-to-eat(RTE) compound foods which uses the by-product of meat. For this experiment, 51 samples of RTE compound foods in by-product of meat distributed in Incheon from January to December 2006 were tested. The contents of heavy metals in the main ingredient of RTE compound foods were in the range of $0.073{\sim}0.112ppm$ for lead (Pb), $0.006{\sim}0.013ppm$ for cadmium (Cd) and $0.746{\sim}0.978ppb$ for mercury (Hg). The concentrations of residual ABS(alkyl benzene sulfate) in the small intestine which is a main ingredient of Gopchang-casserole were $$0.8ppm{\sim}57.6ppm$ (Ave. 10.3ppm). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 11 samples (21.6%) among 51 main ingredients of RTE compound foods. The isolation rates of Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens were 2.0% (1/51) and 5.9% (2/51), respectively. By types of main ingredient, the small intestine was showed the highest isolation rate as 35.3% (12/34), ham and the sausage which are main ingredients of the Budae-pot stew were 25% (2/8) and other meat products were 20% (1/5). Food poisoning bacteria was not found in the blood of pig which is a main ingredient of the Sunji-pot stew. 28.4% (27/95) of sauce included in each RTE compound foods were coliform bacteria positive. Pesticide residues were found in four of 45 vegetables which are the additional ingredient of RTE compound foods. The concentrations of pesticide were chlorothalonil 2.8 ppm, EPN 10.3 ppm, chlorpyrifos 0.4ppm and indoxacarb 0.7ppm. In 33 bean sprout samples, captan and carbendazim were not detected.